By Bob Katzen

House 153-0, Senate 39-0, approved and sent to Gov. Maura Healey a bill dealing with teacher preparation and student literacy. The measure would establish clear statewide standards for evidence-based reading instruction—requiring the teaching of phonics, ensuring access to high-quality K-3 curricula, enhancing educator training and support and creating new reporting and accountability systems.

The bill defines evidence-based early literacy as instruction featuring phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension and phonemic awareness, and is demonstrated to produce significant and positive effects on student learning outcomes. It prohibits curricula that are not evidence-based and curricula that rely on implicit or incidental word reading strategies.

Another provision formalizes dyslexia and literacy screening requirements by requiring schools to develop protocols for identifying potential neurological learning disabilities, including dyslexia, and to report their screening practices annually.

“This is a pivotal moment for children across our state as we advance the critical legislation I filed to ensure every student gains essential literacy skills,” said sponsor Sen. Sal DiDomenico (D-Everett). “We all recognize that teaching our kids to read and write is one of the most fundamental responsibilities we have, yet far too many students are still falling short of basic literacy benchmarks. As co-chair of the conference committee, I was proud to collaborate with many educators to craft evidence-based policies that will strengthen early literacy instruction and set our students on a path to lifelong success.”

“It is unacceptable that less than half of young students in Massachusetts are proficient in reading at their grade level,” said Sen. Jason Lewis (D-Winchester), Senate chair of the Education Committee. “This important legislation ensures that educators use evidence-based early literacy curricula that are backed by science while leaving schools flexibility to decide what curriculum is best for their students and teachers. Strengthening student literacy through evidence-based instruction has decades of scientific research and improved outcomes backing it up. With the passage of this bill, the Massachusetts Legislature continues its commitment to providing a high-quality education for all students across the commonwealth.”

(A “Yes” vote is for the bill.)

Rep. Christine Barber Yes Rep. Mike Connolly Yes Rep. Paul Donato Yes Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven Yes Sen. Patricia Jehlen Yes