A Call to Action:
Addressing the Literacy Crisis in Massachusetts

Imagine a world where all children are empowered with the skills to love to read.

Is your child struggling to read?
They’re not alone.

Thousands of children across the state are struggling to read. This is not a reflection of their ability or potential but rather a reflection of a system that is failing them. Click to learn more about this literacy crisis and how you can advocate for change.

What is literacy and why does it matter?

Simply put, literacy is the ability to read and write.

Among the many skills we learn in life, few are more critical than the ability to read and write effectively. Literacy is a fundamental human and civil right, essential for student success and self-expression. It empowers students to access, retain, and preserve information while expanding their understanding of the world beyond their classrooms.

Being able to read and write by 3rd grade is linked to better outcomes later in life.

Research has shown that early literacy leads to greater success both in and out of school, including, but not limited to:

  • Greater high school completion
  • Higher attendance rates
  • Higher test scores
  • Higher lifetime earnings
  • Better physical and mental health

Studies have also shown a concerning connection between low literacy proficiency rates and incarceration. Click here to read more

Unfortunately, we are facing a literacy crisis in Massachusetts

Only 42% of MA 3rd graders are meeting 3rd grade literacy benchmarks

For underserved students,
outcomes are more concerning.

24%

Students from low-income backgrounds meeting benchmarks

22%

Latino students meeting benchmarks

10%

Multilingual learners meeting benchmarks

14%

Students with Disabilities meeting benchmarks

Percentage of Students at or above Reading NAEP Proficiency by State, 2024

Reading proficiency rates for Black and Latino students in MA resemble those of students in the lowest-performing states

“Massachusetts is the birthplace of public education, and students here outperform their peers nationally in virtually every measure of academic achievement. But pride in those numbers obscures the other side of the picture: Before the pandemic, only about half of public school third-graders had adequate reading skills. Post-pandemic, the story is even worse.”
-Mandy McLaren and Naomi Martin, The Boston Globe

Why do we see high numbers of children

especially Black, Latino, and those from low-income backgrounds

lacking fundamental literacy skills?

The Issue:

Students develop literacy, in part, through literacy curricula—instructional units and materials designed to teach children how to read and write.

Researchers have identified effective methods for teaching reading, but unfortunately, not all schools are using these best practices.

Furthermore, most teacher preparation programs in Massachusetts are not adequately preparing educators with the skills to teach children how to read effectively.

The Facts: In 2023…..

  • 1/2

    Nearly half of the school districts in MA were using low-quality literacy curricula that included discredited literacy strategies.

  • 100+

    Over 100,000 students in grades K-3 were sitting in classrooms using disproven literacy strategies and materials.

  • 16%

    Only 16% of teacher prep programs adequately prepare educators for the use of evidence-based reading approaches.

    *Massachusetts defines low-quality curriculums as instructional materials that receive poor reviews according to DESE’s Curriculum Ratings by Teachers (CURATE) evaluation tool or EdReports.

    ** Source: “Lost in a world of words,” Boston Globe, October 4, 2023

“I was guilty of this myself for years. We’d say, ‘Poor little Timmy is just low [in reading]. We’ve tried all these things, but he’s just not reading. He’s just always going to be low and struggling.’ And no. We just weren’t teaching little Timmy how he needed to be taught.”
-Marci Amorim
Randolph reading specialist

Research shows that nearly all children can learn to read if they receive evidence-based reading instruction coupled with access to inclusive, identity-affirming materials

What is Evidence-based
Literacy Instruction?

Evidence-based literacy instruction includes instructional approaches, methods, and materials consistent with science-based reading research—sometimes called “the Science of Reading”. Studies show that nearly all students can learn to read using these evidence-based approaches.

What is the Science of Reading?

Learn More

Is my school district using evidence-based literacy approaches?

In Massachusetts, each local school district has the authority to choose its own literacy curricula and instructional materials. Unfortunately, many schools are still using low-quality and discredited materials. Check out this user-friendly tool to learn more about what is happening in your district.

Click Here to find out Haga Clic Aquí Para Descubrirlo

The crisis is deeply troubling.
Yet, completely preventable.

As of April 2024, 38 States and the District of Columbia have passed laws or implemented new policies to require evidence-based reading instruction in schools.

Click Here to Learn More

Take Action Today.

The resources below include tools for parents, students, educators, and other advocates to use with state and local leaders to advocate for policies that ensure all children have equitable access to evidence-based literacy instruction and inclusive, identity-affirming reading curricula that pave the way for future success!

Improving literacy outcomes in your community
Mejorando los resultados de alfabetización en su comunidad

Improving literacy outcomes for your own child
Mejorando los Resultados de Alfabetización de su Hijo

Stay connected with MEEP to learn about future opportunities to raise your voice and make a difference for children and schools!


Join the Movement

Horner Consulting LLC
Citizen Schools
Black Advocates for Educational Excellence

Additional Resources