Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces Continued Investment in Early Literacy Tutoring for 338 Schools
Approximately 8,500 tutoring seats will support students in 102 school districts, charter schools, and collaboratives during the 2026–27 school year while launching a new federal research pilot
EVERETT – The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced that 338 schools across 102 school districts, charter schools and collaboratives will receive no-cost, high-impact early literacy tutoring during the 2026-27 school year. The initiative will provide at least 8,485 tutoring seats for students in kindergarten through third grade, with priority given to first-grade students who demonstrate the greatest need in foundational reading skills.
The Fiscal Year 2027 state budget includes $20 million to continue the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s (DESE) Early Literacy Tutoring Initiative. The funding builds on the administration’s investments to strengthen early literacy instruction and help more students become strong readers.
“Every child in Massachusetts deserves the chance to become a strong reader and succeed in school,” said Governor Maura Healey. “That’s why we’re investing in early literacy and making sure students who need extra help can get it. This tutoring will give thousands of students more support to strengthen their reading skills and succeed in the classroom.”
“Strong reading skills set students up for success throughout their education,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “We’re giving schools and educators more tools to support students early, meet their individual needs and help them build the skills and confidence they need to succeed.”
This is the third round of early literacy tutoring funding under the Healey-Driscoll Administration. The first round supported 272 schools, followed by an additional 84 schools in the second round. Some schools and districts have participated in more than one round.
The initiative is part of the Administration's broader strategy to improve early literacy, including investments in high-quality instructional materials, professional development for educators, early literacy screening, and targeted support for students. The announcement also builds on recently enacted literacy legislation to strengthen
“High-impact tutoring is one of the most effective strategies we have for accelerating student learning,” said Education Secretary Steve Zrike. “By continuing to expand access to evidence-based tutoring while strengthening districts' overall literacy systems, Massachusetts is helping more students become successful readers.”
Tutoring will be provided at no cost to participating districts through state funding, remaining Fiscal Year 2026 Fair Share funding and a federal Education Innovation and Research grant from the U.S. Department of Education. DESE-approved tutoring providers will use evidence-based instruction, student data and flexible service models to meet the needs of participating students and schools.
This year, DESE will also launch the Building Ongoing Outcomes in Student Tutoring (BOOST) pilot with support from the federal grant. A subset of participating districts will take part in the pilot, which will help DESE and research partners study different tutoring approaches and how they can both improve immediate
“Districts across Massachusetts continue to demonstrate a strong commitment to evidence-based literacy instruction,” Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Pedro Martinez said. “This initiative allows us to partner with schools to provide targeted support for students while continuing to strengthen literacy outcomes across the Commonwealth."
More information about the Massachusetts Early Literacy Tutoring Initiative is available online.
The 338 schools recommended to receive no-cost early literacy tutoring during the 2026–27 school year are located in the following districts and collaboratives:
- Abby Kelley Foster Charter Public School (in Worcester)
- Abington Public Schools
- Acushnet Public Schools
- Agawam Public Schools
- Alma del Mar Charter School (in New Bedford)
- Barnstable Public Schools
- Belchertown Public Schools
- Berkley Public Schools
- Beverly Public Schools
- Bi-County Collaborative
- Blackstone-Millville Regional School District
- Boston Public Schools
- Bridge Boston Charter School
- Bridgewater-Raynham Regional School District
- Chelsea Public Schools
- Chicopee Public Schools
- Clinton Public Schools
- Codman Academy Charter School (in Boston)
- Collegiate Charter School of Lowell
- CREST Collaborative
- Danvers Public Schools
- Dighton-Rehoboth Regional School District
- Dracut Public Schools
- Dudley-Charlton Regional School District
- Easthampton Public Schools
- Edgartown Public Schools
- Everett Public Schools
- Fall River Public Schools
- Fitchburg Public Schools
- Foxborough Regional Charter School
- Franklin Public Schools
- Freetown-Lakeville Regional School District
- Gardner Public Schools
- Gateway Regional School District
- Greater Commonwealth Virtual School
- Greenfield Public Schools
- Hanover Public Schools
- Haverhill Public Schools
- Holbrook Public Schools
- Holyoke Community Charter School
- Holyoke Public Schools
- Hoosac Valley Regional School District
- Lawrence Public Schools
- Learning First Charter Public School (in Worcester)
- Lee Public Schools
- Leicester Public Schools
- Leominster Public Schools
- Lowell Community Charter School
- Lowell Public Schools
- Ludlow Public Schools
- Lunenburg Public Schools
- Malden Public Schools
- Manchester Essex Regional School District
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Charter School of Excellence (in Springfield)
- Match Charter Public School (in Boston)
- Methuen Public Schools
- Milford Public Schools
- Monomoy Regional School District
- Neighborhood House Charter School (in Boston)
- New Bedford Public Schools
- North Andover Public Schools
- North Middlesex Regional School District
- Northampton Public Schools
- Northbridge Public Schools
- Norton Public Schools
- Oak Bluffs Public Schools
- Old Sturbridge Academy Charter Public School
- Peabody Public Schools
- Petersham Public Schools
- Pittsfield Public Schools
- Plainville Public Schools
- Prospect Hill Academy Charter School (in Cambridge)
- Quabbin Regional School District
- Quaboag Regional School District
- Randolph Public Schools
- Reading Public Schools
- Revere Public Schools
- Rockland Public Schools
- Salem Public Schools
- Saugus Public Schools
- Somerville Public Schools
- South Hadley Public Schools
- Southbridge Public Schools
- Southern Berkshire Regional School District
- Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional School District
- Springfield Prep Charter School
- Springfield Public Schools
- Stoughton Public Schools
- Taunton Public Schools
- Triton Regional School District
- Tyngsborough Public Schools
- Wakefield Public Schools
- Wareham Public Schools
- Watertown Public Schools
- Webster Public Schools
- Westfield Public Schools
- Weymouth Public Schools
- Winchester Public Schools
- Woburn Public Schools
- Worcester Cultural Academy Charter School
- Worcester Public Schools
- Wrentham Public Schools
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