The Healey-Driscoll Administration has just earmarked $3.3 million in Partnership for Reading Success – Massachusetts (PRISM) III literacy grants for 25 school districts and educational collaboratives. These funds are intended to bolster English language arts and literacy instruction for students in grades 4 through 12, focusing on the evaluation, selection, and implementation of high-quality instructional materials, as reported on Mass.gov.
"Massachusetts has the best education system in the country, but we know more needs to be done to ensure all of our students have the tools they need to be lifelong readers and learners," Governor Maura Healey stated in an announcement. Moreover, Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll emphasized the grants' role in providing "more students the support they need to excel and thrive in the future." The initiative appears to be aligned with the administration's broader educational goals, which includes strategies like Literacy Launch and an expansion of high dosage early literacy tutoring as highlighted in the governor's Fair Share supplemental budget.
Recipients of the grants will follow one of three tracks, depending on their preparedness. These tracks range from preparing to evaluate instructional materials to deepening the implementation of those already in use. To facilitate these goals, the PRISM III grants will provide leadership coaching from DESE-approved curriculum and instruction coaches as well as financial assistance for professional learning and compensating educators for their time dedicated to grant-related activities.
Dr. Patrick Tutwiler, Education Secretary, highlighted the cross-grade struggle with literacy and the Healey-Driscoll Administration's commitment to maximizing opportunities to promote evidence-based literacy teaching. This sentiment is shared by Pedro Martinez, Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education, who stated on Mass.gov, "This is an important investment in our secondary students." This school year, an impressive number of 272 schools will receive the advantage of free, high-dosage early literacy tutoring.
The grants range from $18,000 for several districts, to as much as $549,500 for Lowell Public School District. These precise allocation of funds are detailed in the official report, painting a picture of a targeted approach to a statewide educational priority. The administration, through such fiscal commitments, reinforces its stance on literacy being a critical foundational skill pivotal to the advancement of every student's educational journey.
