Massachusetts Senate Passes Literacy Education Overhaul 38-0

BOSTON -- January 29, 2026, Massachusetts Senate passes sweeping literacy education bill 38-0, mandating science-based reading curricula statewide. The chamber voted unanimously Thursday to engross House No. 4683, "An Act Relative to Teacher Preparation and Student Literacy," which requires all public school districts to adopt evidence-based, phonics-centered reading instruction for kindergarten through grade 3, backed by $25 million in state funding for curriculum and training. Senator Sal N. DiDomenico of Everett, the bill's original sponsor, called it a generational step to reverse learning losses, noting that only 42 percent of Massachusetts third graders met or exceeded expectations on the spring 2025 MCAS ELA exam. An amendment by Senator Joanne M. Comerford, adopted unanimously, requires DESE to build geographic equity into grant distribution after data showed her western Massachusetts district received just 0.77 percent of state early literacy funds despite representing 2.5 percent of the state's population. Senate Minority Leader Bruce E. Tarr secured one victory in a day of otherwise defeated amendments: a 37-0 roll call adopting a waiver process allowing high-performing districts to seek exemption from the new mandates, with any denial required in writing and subject to appeal under the Administrative Procedures Act.