Massachusetts Legislature Strikes Deal on K-3 Evidence-Based Reading Mandate

BOSTON -- June 16, 2026, Massachusetts House and Senate conferees reached a compromise early literacy bill that bans guessing-based reading instruction and mandates evidence-based curricula for grades K through 3 starting in the 2027-2028 school year. Senate co-chair Senator Dina Minichello and House co-chair Representative Kenneth Gordon announced the agreement Monday, saying only 40 percent of Massachusetts third graders currently meet reading benchmarks, with the rate falling to 20 percent among children of color and low-income students. The bill requires districts to select curricula from a Department of Elementary and Secondary Education-approved list, offers free curriculum options to districts that cannot afford to switch, includes dyslexia screening requirements, mandates public data reporting, and provides professional development and apprenticeship pathways for teachers. Both chambers passed earlier versions unanimously, and leaders said they anticipate the same outcome on the compromise bill during floor votes expected later this week.