Governor Healey Awards Nearly $25 Million to Improve Literacy Instruction Across Massachusetts – Several NS Schools Systems to Benefit

Funding will help awardees implement and sustain evidence-based, high-quality literacy instruction

EVERETT – The Healey-Driscoll Administration today awarded nearly $24.7 million to 71 school districts and one educational collaborative to strengthen literacy instruction and improve reading outcomes for students across Massachusetts.

Through four Partnership for Reading Success–Massachusetts (PRISM) grant programs, districts will implement high-quality instructional materials, expand professional learning for educators and strengthen evidence-based literacy instruction from pre-kindergarten through grade 12.

The awards build on Governor Healey’s Literacy Launch initiative and legislation she signed to strengthen early literacy instruction. They also come as more than 1,000 educators are participating in Literacy Launch Institutes this summer to deepen their knowledge of evidence-based reading instruction.

“Reading is the foundation for everything students do in school and throughout their lives,” said Governor Maura Healey. “That’s why we’re making historic investments to strengthen literacy instruction, support educators and help every student build the skills they need to succeed.”

“Districts across Massachusetts are doing important work to strengthen literacy instruction, and we’re proud to support them,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “These investments will help schools build sustainable systems that give every student a strong foundation in reading.”

“Improving literacy outcomes takes more than a one-time investment—it requires sustained commitment to high-quality instruction,” said Education Secretary Steve Zrike. “By helping districts strengthen curriculum, build educator capacity, and support effective implementation, these grants will create lasting improvements for students across the Commonwealth.”

“We’re committed to strengthening implementation of high-quality literacy instruction and continuing to address persistent disparities in access and achievement,” said Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Pedro Martinez. “Our work through PRISM grants and Literacy Launch Institutes is designed to help all students become strong readers and writers.”

The four PRISM grant programs support districts at every stage of implementing high-quality literacy instruction, from building strong early literacy systems, to adopting new instructional materials, and expanding evidence-based practices through grade 12:

PRISM I continuation grant:

$10.2 million to 13 grantees to continue helping a cohort of districts improve their early literacy programming so that all students can read at or above grade level by grade 3:

Brockton Public Schools, $1,159,500
Framingham Public Schools, $924,975
Gateway Regional School District (in partnership with Farmington River Regional School District), $289,875
Haverhill Public Schools, $822,200
Holyoke Public Schools, $616,650
Lynn Public Schools, $1,541,625
Nashoba Regional School District, $289,875
New Bedford Public Schools, $1,449,375
Northborough Public Schools (in partnership with Southborough Public Schools), $579,750
Norwood Public Schools, $676,375
Peabody Public Schools, $822,200
Salem Public Schools, $676,375
Stoneham Public Schools, $386,500

PRISM II continuation grant:

$2.9 million to 13 grantees to strengthen early literacy through the implementation of high-quality instructional materials in pre-K through third grade:

Abington Public Schools, $217,500
Berkshire Hills Regional School District, $177,500
Community Day Public Charter School (in Lawrence), $217,500
Greenfield Public Schools, $177,500
Holliston Public Schools, $197,500
Kingston Public Schools, $197,500
Monomoy Regional School District, $197,500
Nantucket Public Schools, $197,500
Pittsfield Public Schools, $466,500
Plympton Public Schools, $177,500
Silver Lake Regional School District, $177,500
Somerset Public Schools, $217,500
Wayland Public Schools, $302,000

PRISM II second cohort grant:

$5.9 million to 36 new grantees to support the evaluation, selection, purchase, launch, and implementation of high-quality instructional materials for pre-K through third grade:

Ashland Public Schools, $202,000
Bedford Public Schools, $146,000
Berkley Public Schools, $101,770
Berlin-Boylston Regional School District, $146,000
Braintree Public Schools, $309,000
Brookline Public Schools, $153,000
Canton Public Schools, $190,000
Chelsea Public Schools, $62,000
Dover Public Schools, $98,000
Everett Public Schools, $82,000
Fall River Public Schools, $584,000
Groton-Dunstable Regional School District, $146,000
Hatfield Public Schools, $34,046
Hoosac Valley Regional School District, $102,000
Leominster Public Schools, $289,000
Lowell Public Schools, $260,000
Lunenburg Public Schools, $25,000
Maynard Public Schools, $110,000
Mendon-Upton Regional School District, $221,804
Monson Public Schools, $86,718
Natick Public Schools, $119,000
North Reading Public Schools, $81,792
Norwood Public Schools, $230,500
Old Rochester Regional School District, $117,000
Quabbin Regional School District, $117,000
Randolph Public Schools, $245,000
Rockland Public Schools, $146,000
Sharon Public Schools, $70,000
Sherborn Public Schools, $98,000
South Shore Education Collaborative, $146,000
Southbridge Public Schools, $313,538
Ware Public Schools, $110,000
Wellesley Public Schools, $309,000
Westborough Public Schools, $214,000
Westwood Public Schools, $194,500
Winchendon Public Schools, $70,000

PRISM III second cohort grant:

$5.6 million to 19 new grantees for resources, targeted coaching, and professional learning support to evaluate, select, purchase, launch, and implement high-quality instructional materials for grades 4–12: