Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces No-Cost Early Literacy Tutoring for 272 Elementary Schools

Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces No-Cost Early Literacy Tutoring for 272 Elementary Schools 

 
BOSTON – The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced today that 272 schools in Massachusetts were selected to receive free, high-dosage early literacy tutoring this school year, designed to help students in kindergarten through third grade build foundational reading skills — with Grade 1 as the top priority. High-dosage tutoring provides one-on-one or small-group tutoring sessions multiple times a week for at least 10 weeks. This program was created by Governor Maura Healey as part of her comprehensive strategy to improve literacy for all Massachusetts students and is funded through a $25 million investment in Fair Share dollars. 

“It’s crucial for our teachers and schools to have access to the resources they need to support every young reader," said Governor Maura Healey. “This initiative will help bring high-dosage early literacy tutoring directly to students who need it most, giving them the foundational skills essential for long-term success. With the partnership of the Legislature, we are delivering schools the support they need to reach all their learners.” 

“Through Literacy Launch and other initiatives like high-dosage tutoring, we are advancing our commitment to improve literacy education in Massachusetts,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “This type of tutoring has been proven to be highly effective. We’re investing in early literacy practices to strengthen the foundation of our education system.” 

Offered through the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), this initiative will provide participating schools and districts with tutors at no cost to the school or student. The tutoring will offer flexible models — including in-person and virtual formats — designed to meet local needs during and after the school day. DESE has selected qualified tutoring providers to partner with schools and work with students across the state. First graders are prioritized as this is a crucial year to solidify early reading skills. 

“When our schools have access to evidence-based, culturally sustaining tutoring options, students are more likely to achieve the critical milestone of reading proficiently by third grade,” said Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “This opportunity targets first grade, a crucial year for learning to read.” 

“Learning to read in first grade is a milestone on the pathway to future success in school, and in life,” said Education Commissioner Pedro Martinez. “It’s hard to overstate the importance of learning to read in the early grades, and we want each and every Massachusetts student to get the support they need to achieve that.” 

This opportunity was open to all Massachusetts public schools and districts, with priority given to those demonstrating a clear need for ELA/literacy support and a commitment to evidence-based early literacy practices. School districts were required to show in their application that they use a high-quality early literacy model, which tutoring will strengthen. Tutoring will use student-centered approaches grounded in diagnostic data, evidence-based methods led by highly trained tutors, and flexible service models to meet the unique needs of each district and accelerate student learning. 

“Every child deserves the chance to become a confident reader, and this investment in high-dosage tutoring will give thousands of young students the support they need to thrive,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “The Senate is proud to have championed Fair Share investments that directly strengthen our public schools, and I’m grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for making early literacy a top priority.” 

“Strong reading skills are key to the success of our students and their future contributions to the workforce,” said State Representative Ken Gordon, House Chair of the Joint Committee on Education. "This initiative affirms the Commonwealth’s commitment to improving literacy for our young learners.” 

“High-dosage tutoring is one of many proven tools we are implementing in Massachusetts, along with tremendous investments in early education and childcare, to ensure our young students learn to read which will help them to succeed,” said State Senator Jason Lewis, Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Education. “Thank you to the Healey administration for bringing free, high-dosage early literacy tutoring to 272 schools this year to support our children from the start and set them up for future success down the line.” 

In addition to this new tutoring initiative, Governor Healey also created Literacy Launch: Reading Success from Age 3 through Grade 3 initiative. Literacy Launch provides educator training, curriculum support, and district grants, such as the Partnership for Reading Success – Massachusetts (PRISM) grant awarded earlier this year to 15 school districts. This spring, the administration opened applications for additional school districts to apply for $5.5 million to help implement high-quality early literacy instructional materials that will be awarded soon. 

Awarded school districts and charter schools: 

• Chelsea Public Schools 

• Waltham Public Schools 

• Belchertown Public Schools 

• Holyoke Public Schools 

• Boston Public Schools 

• Plainville Public Schools 

• Lawrence Public Schools 

• Abby Kelley Charter School (Worcester)  

• Monomoy Public Schools 

• Malden Public Schools 

• Everett Public Schools 

• Norwood Public Schools 

• Worcester Public Schools 

• Match Charter (Boston)  

• Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional School District 

• Milford Public Schools 

• Revere Public Schools 

• Berkeley Public Schools 

• Fall River Public Schools 

• UP Academy Holland (Boston)  

• North Middlesex Public Schools 

• Lowell Community Charter School 

• Dudley-Charlton Regional School District 

• South Shore Charter  

• Quaboag Public Schools 

• Edgartown Public Schools  

• East Longmeadow Public Schools  

• Randolph Public Schools  

• Salem Public Schools  

• North Andover Public Schools 

• Hoosac Valley Regional School District 

• Wakefield Public Schools 

• Triton Regional Public Schools 

• Leominster Public Schools 

• Weymouth Public Schools 

• Ayer-Shirley Regional School District 

• Learning First Charter (Worcester)  

• Manchester-Essex Regional School District 

• Watertown Public Schools 

• Lowell Public Schools 

• Peabody Public Schools 

• Reading Public Schools 

• New Bedford Public Schools 

• Sharon Public Schools 

• Springfield Prep Charter  

• Springfield Public Schools 

• Tewksbury Public Schools 

• Dedham Public Schools 

• Taunton Public Schools 

• Danvers Public Schools 

• Ipswich Public Schools 

• Andover Public Schools