Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards More Than $4 Million in PRISM III Literacy Grants

 Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards More Than $4 Million in PRISM III Literacy Grants 

Funding supports the adoption of high-quality instructional materials for grades 4-12 

 
EVERETT – The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced that it has awarded more than $4.3 million in Partnership for Reading Success – Massachusetts (PRISM) III Continuation grants to 16 school districts and educational collaboratives to strengthen literacy instruction for students in grades 4-12.  

  

PRISM III grants focus on the evaluation, selection, purchase and implementation of high-quality instructional materials. Grant recipients engage in one of three tracks: preparing to adopt high-quality instructional materials, launching the implementation of selected materials or deepen implementation of materials already in use. All grantees receive leadership coaching from a DESE-approved PRISM curriculum and instruction coach to support effective implementation. In addition, recipients can use grant funds for professional learning, stipends or substitute coverage while educators are participating in grant activities. 

 

These grants are a continuation of initial awards made in summer 2025 to help schools improve English language arts and literacy instruction for grades 4–12. A portion of these grants were state-funded and distributed between September and January, and additional funding came from a federal Comprehensive Literacy State Development grant in February. 

 

“We are making major investments to strengthen literacy and ensure every student in Massachusetts has access to high-quality instructional materials,” said Governor Maura Healey. “These grants will help schools implement proven materials, support educators in the classroom, and give students the skills they need to succeed in school and beyond.”  

 

“High quality instructional materials and strong teaching go hand in hand,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “These grants will help districts put the right tools in place so more students can build strong reading skills and succeed.”  

 

“High-quality instructional materials and support for implementation are fundamental to achieving excellence and equity in education,” said Secretary of Education Stephen Zrike. “These PRISM III grants help districts improve literacy programming and give students the literacy foundation they need for success beyond graduation.”  

 

“This continuation funding is designed to help organizations that have already received PRISM funding make long-term progress,” said Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Pedro Martinez. “With this help, districts and collaboratives can make lasting improvements in secondary students’ literacy success.”  

 

The PRISM III Continuation Grant Recipients are: 

 

·          ACCEPT Educational Collaborative (in Natick): $194,000 

·          Attleboro Public School District: $232,000 

·          Barnstable Public School District: $493,000 

·          Bi-County Collaborative (BICO) (in Walpole): $455,000 

·          Easthampton Public School District: $194,000 

·          Everett Public School District: $329,000 

·          Greater Lawrence Regional Vocational Technical School District: $194,000 

·          Haverhill Public School District: $213,000 

·          Hudson Public School District: $296,000 

·          Lowell Public School District: $474,000 

·          Milford Public School District: $194,000 

·          Northampton Public School District: $252,000 

·          Somerville Public School District: $353,000 

·          Spencer - East Brookfield School District: $194,000 

·          Ware Public School District: $252,000