Press Release  Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $1.2 Million for Early Literacy Materials and Professional Development

Everett — The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced today that it is awarding $1.2 million in grants to 18 school districts and collaboratives to implement Appleseeds, a package of materials for teaching foundational reading skills in kindergarten through second grade. While Appleseeds is free for download to all Massachusetts school districts, the grant will fund professional printing of the materials, plus professional development for educators.

“This Appleseeds grant is an important part of our administration's commitment to improving early literacy instruction,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We also recently proposed Literacy Launch in our latest budget, a historic investment in early literacy from age 3 to grade 3, on top of additional funding for continued literacy programming from DESE.” 

“A strong foundation in literacy is essential for educational success,” Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll said. “The Appleseeds Materials and Professional Development grant opportunity will help our schools from North Adams to Falmouth build that foundation.” 

Appleseeds is a free, evidence-based reading foundational skills program for students in grades K-2. Districts can use it to supplement existing curriculum that does not have a strong foundational skill component, and it is one of many ways the state is moving to improve early literacy education. 

“Learning to read is a fundamental skill critical to every aspect of students’ education, but more importantly throughout their life,” said Education Secretary Patrick A. Tutwiler. “I have heard strong interest from many districts and educators in improving early literacy instruction. This grant will help schools and teachers implement evidence-based literacy materials and supports our shared vision of excellence for every child in Massachusetts.” 

“Evidence-based, culturally and linguistically sustaining early literacy practices will put our students on a path toward literacy for life,” said Russell D. Johnston, acting commissioner of elementary and secondary education. “Appleseeds is a great resource for all districts, and grant recipients will have the additional benefit of implementation support for educators.”

Literacy Launch would make high quality early literacy professional development available for K-3 educators and provide support for preschool educators. The program will be implemented by the Executive Office of Education, in coordination with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Department of Early Education and Care. The proposed $30 million fiscal year 2025 investment would help up to 45 school districts transition to a strong, evidence-based literacy program, and the funding would also accelerate review timelines for teacher education programs to require evidence-based early literacy training for future educators. Appleseeds will continue to be an essential part of the state’s overall literacy efforts.

“Early literacy is a foundational building block for strong lifelong learning and an important way to kickstart a future full of opportunity,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “The Senate’s proposed funding increases for evidence-based literacy learning in this year’s budget is a downpayment on our next generation of readers, writers, and leaders. I’m grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for their equitable and proactive work on this initiative, and to each of the educators who devote their lives to teaching our youngest learners.”

“The House of Representatives members know how fundamentally important literacy is for our youngest learners in every single district in our Commonwealth,” said State Representative Denise Garlick (D-Needham), House Chair of the Joint Committee on Education. “It said that children need to learn to read by third grade so that can read to learn their whole life long. These grants are key in increasing access to evidence-based literacy materials and to provide educators  professional development and support.”  

“Continued strong investments in high-quality literacy are key to keeping Massachusetts a national leader in education,” said State Senator Jason Lewis (D-Winchester), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Education. “The Appleseeds program overall, as well as these state grants, allow schools to implement high-quality instructional materials that ensure young students are receiving a robust early literacy education.”

"Literacy is a vital skill that effects every aspect of education and life outside of school, and the best way to support our students is through evidence-based curriculum," said State Representative Dan Sena (D-Acton). "Appleseed is a resource that can help districts across the map, and these grants supply additional support to our students."

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