The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education believes ALL students can learn to read and write when provided with evidence-based and culturally and linguistically sustaining instruction. Learning to read and write is challenging, but decades of research have shown us what works. Families, teachers, and community resource people have different roles in supporting student learning, and when everyone works together toward the same goal, students achieve even greater success. We hope the following questions and answers will help you understand the recommendations of the Mass Literacy Guide. We also offer suggestions for how to team up with your child's classroom teacher if you have concerns as well as some tips and strategies to support your child's success.
What is the Mass Literacy Guide?
What are the state's expectations for early literacy instruction? How is DESE supporting these expectations?
What do evidence-based early literacy and culturally and linguistically sustaining instruction mean?
The following pages provide an overview of effective ways to teach reading and writing in grades preK–3 in Massachusetts.
Last Updated: September 25, 2024