Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey signed legislation on Friday aimed at overhauling early reading instruction across the state, marking a significant shift in education policy. The bill, enacted by the legislature on June 18, introduces new standards for evidence-based reading instruction from kindergarten through third grade, mandates universal literacy screenings, expands teacher training requirements, and implements measures for tracking district compliance and student progress.
The signing took place at Blackstone Elementary School, where Healey addressed a group of second-grade students, emphasizing the importance of reading as a foundation for academic and life success. The legislation follows a 2023 investigation that revealed nearly half of Massachusetts school districts were using reading curricula rated as “low quality” by the state. At the time, authorities lacked the resources and authority to enforce curriculum changes.
Among the bill’s key provisions is a limitation on the use of the “three-cueing” method, a controversial approach where students guess words based on context, pictures, and sentence structure rather than phonics and decoding skills. The law also maintains the state’s Early Literacy Fund, which assists districts in purchasing materials and providing professional development, although a proposed $25 million transfer to the fund was removed from the final bill. Senator Sal DiDomenico, the legislation’s senate lead, indicated that funding support could be pursued through future budget measures.
MassPotential, an education advocacy group, described the legislation as the first standalone education bill passed in Massachusetts since before the COVID-19 pandemic and hailed it as a crucial step toward reducing literacy disparities and ensuring that all students achieve reading proficiency by third grade.
Healey underscored her administration’s commitment to collaborating with school districts and educators to implement the new law effectively. She emphasized the critical role of teachers in student success, stating that the quality of instruction remains the most significant factor in educational outcomes.
DiDomenico noted that while Massachusetts ranks first nationally in education overall, gaps persist in early literacy outcomes, particularly among younger students. He described the new law as a “game changer” that introduces evidence-based curriculum statewide, aiming to close these gaps and improve long-term student achievement.
The overhaul comes amid concerns about declining literacy performance in Massachusetts. Recent data from the 2024-25 school year show that only about 42 percent of third graders met expectations in English language arts, with lower rates among students of color, low-income students, English language learners, and students with disabilities. Supporters highlighted that Massachusetts had lagged behind other states in adopting science-of-reading approaches, while opponents, including the Massachusetts Teachers Association, warned the legislation could undermine teacher autonomy and limit instructional flexibility, especially for educators working with diverse learners.
More than 40 states have enacted similar literacy reforms over the past decade, and Massachusetts’ new law aligns with this broader national trend. The signing event was open to photographers and attended by lawmakers who made public remarks but did not take questions from the press.