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S 2924

Amendment S.2924

194th Legislature (2025-2026)

Establishes a dedicated Early Literacy Fund to fund and require evidence-based K–3 literacy curricula, screenings (including dyslexia), district data reporting, and professional de

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Bill Summary · S 2924

Summary of Bill S.2924 (194th MA General Court, 2025-2026)

Date: January 2026

This summary outlines Senate Bill 2924, which restructures and expands Massachusetts policy and funding related to early literacy instruction for grades K–3. The bill integrates data reporting, curriculum standards, professional development, screening for reading difficulties (including dyslexia), and targeted funding to support high-quality evidence-based literacy practices.

1) Purpose and Intent

  • Establish a dedicated Early Literacy Fund and outline how funds are to be sourced and spent.
  • Promote adoption and implementation of high-quality, evidence-based literacy instruction for early grades.
  • Create regulatory and oversight mechanisms to ensure curricula, teacher development, and screening practices align with best-practice research in reading instruction.
  • Improve transparency through data reporting and public posting of curriculum choices, waivers, and screening results.

2) Key Provisions and Changes

A. Establishment of the Early Literacy Fund (Section 1)

  • Creates a separate, non-budgeted special revenue fund called the Early Literacy Fund, administered by the Secretary of Education.
  • Fund sources include:
    • General Court-designated appropriations and transfers
    • Gifts, grants, donations from public and private sources
    • Interest earnings
  • Authorized expenditures from the fund (without additional appropriation):
    • Development of a free, complete, high-quality K–3 curriculum aligned with district frameworks
    • Implementation of curriculum frameworks (Section 1E ½ of Chapter 69)
    • Grants to districts for updating curricula, purchasing materials, and professional development
  • Any unexpended balance rolls forward to subsequent fiscal years.

B. Curriculum and Assessment Standards (Section 3)

  • Amends Chapter 69 to define and require:
    • Evidence-based literacy instruction
    • Five research-based areas in reading instruction: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension (including oral reading and communication)
    • A “high-quality curriculum” approved by the Department
  • Districts must select a high-quality curriculum meeting K–3 literacy frameworks and based on evidence-based instruction.
  • Waivers: Districts may apply for waivers to use non-listed curricula, up to 5 years, with possible renewal if evidence-based practices continue and quality standards are met. Waivers subject to department audits; districts must post reports and samples publicly.
  • The Department must provide a free, high-quality K–3 curriculum meeting Section 1E requirements, with compliance to other statutory safeguards.

C. Professional Development and Tools (Sections 3 and 4–5)

  • The Department must provide PD resources aligned with evidence-based literacy instruction.
  • Creation and maintenance of:
    • A list of department-approved PD programs/vendors
    • No-cost online training modules aligned with best practices
    • A list of high-quality curricula
  • Regular updates to reflect advances in literacy science.

D. District and Data Reporting (Sections 6 and 9–11)

  • Annual reporting requirements:
    • By August 15: districts identify required data related to curricula aligned with evidence-based instruction; data made public.
    • By October 31: districts submit the required data to the Department.
    • By December 31: the Department aggregates data, publishes a report, and forwards it to legislative clerks and committees; data is publicly available.
  • Data and data reporting are designed to monitor adherence to evidence-based instruction and curricula.

E. Dyslexia Screening and Reading Assessments (Sections 10–11, 57A–57C)

  • Requires guidelines for screening students (K–3) for dyslexia and related literacy indicators.
  • Districts must annually report screening procedures and dyslexia-related data; the Commissioner must publish district-level data on screening tools used.
  • New subsections (57B–57C) mandate:
    • Regulations requiring districts to adopt standardized screening procedures for reading ability and progress using approved assessments
    • Establishing a threshold for “significantly below” benchmarks
    • Each district to assess students at least twice per school year, with progress-monitoring and communication to parents within 30 days of a significant below-benchmark result
    • Alignment of dyslexia and literacy guidelines across related sections

F. Fiscal Year 2026 Transfer (Section 12)

  • The Comptroller must transfer $25,000,000 from the Education and Transportation Capital and Innovation Fund to the Early Literacy Fund.

G. Implementation and Timelines (Sections 13–17)

  • DESE to promulgate implementing regulations.
  • Districts must begin reporting as required during the 2027–2028 school year.
  • First public report due by December 31, 2027.
  • By the 2027–2028 school year, districts must either adopt a high-quality K–3 literacy curriculum or obtain an approved waiver.
  • Within six months of passage, DESE must develop and publish a list of high-quality curricula and make the free curriculum available.

3) Who/What Is Affected

  • Public school districts (K–3) across Massachusetts.
  • The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) as administrator and regulator.
  • Teachers, reading specialists, paraprofessionals, and district PD providers (professional development aligned with evidence-based literacy instruction).
  • Students in kindergarten through grade 3 (and, by extension, their families, through parent communications on screening results).
  • Districts that request waivers from prescribed curricula, subject to department audit and renewal conditions.

4) Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Effective: Provisions span current and upcoming school years, with phased implementation.
  • Fiscal: A one-time $25 million transfer to seed the Early Literacy Fund in FY 2026.
  • Reporting: Annual data reporting deadlines (Aug 15; Oct 31; Dec 31) and public dissemination.
  • Waivers: Five-year maximum initial waiver period, with potential renewal contingent on adherence to evidence-based practices and department standards.
  • Regulation: DESE to issue regulations to implement the act and align educator preparation and school practices with evidence-based literacy instruction.

Overall, S.2924 seeks to standardize and fund evidence-based literacy practices, establish robust screening for dyslexia, and provide districts with resources and oversight to improve early reading outcomes in Massachusetts.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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