Representatives Sena and Cataldo announce passage of early literacy bill by MA House
Initially sponsored by Rep. Danillo Sena and Rep. Simon Cataldo, the bill ensures reading education is grounded in effective, evidence-based research
BOSTON – Wednesday, October 29, 2025 – Rep. Danillo Sena (D-Acton) and Rep. Simon Cataldo (D-Concord) announced that the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed H.4672, An Act relative to teacher preparation and student literacy, based on legislation filed by Rep. Sena and Rep. Cataldo, to improve reading outcomes among elementary school students.
“We filed this legislation because literacy is not just an academic skill — it is a life skill. It is the foundation for all future learning, for civic participation, and for economic opportunity. This bill ensures that our students learn through evidence-based and high quality strategies,” said Representative Danillo Sena (D- Acton). “I’m thankful for the work of my co-filer Representative Cataldo, as well as the support of Speaker of the House Ron Mariano, Chairman Michlewitz, Leader Peisch, and Chairman Gordon, who were instrumental in passing this bill.”
“I expect my children to be given evidence-based, top-of-the-line literacy education, and I want no less for every student in the Commonwealth. This bill is a significant step for educational equality across the state, reaffirming Massachusetts’ commitment to academic excellence,” said Representative Cataldo (D-Concord). “It was a pleasure to file this legislation with Representative Sena, my partner in representing the Town of Acton. Additionally, I’m so thankful for everything Chair Gordon, Leader Peisch, Chair Michlewitz, and Speaker Mariano did to strengthen the bill and to bring it to the House floor.”
English Language Arts scores continue to lag behind pre-pandemic levels. Almost 60 percent of all students in grades 3-8 are not meeting or exceeding expectations in English Language Arts (ELA), and 50 percent in grade 10 are not meeting or exceeding ELA expectations. Additionally, achievement gaps among all major racial and ethnic student groups, students with disabilities, low-income students, and English learners have widened when compared with 2019, according to data from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).
The early literacy bill passed by the House today defines evidence-based early literacy as grounded in scientific research methods, and demonstrated to produce significant and positive effects on student learning outcomes. Many school districts in Massachusetts have switched to evidence-based early literacy curricula, and some have been assisted by grants awarded through the state’s Literacy Launch program, administered by Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and funded by the Legislature at $35 million. However, some school districts have yet to fully adopt proven literacy curricula, despite being the most effective ways to improve reading outcomes.
The bill provides a framework for DESE to identify and approve a list of high-quality curricula that school districts will select from for kindergarten through third grade literacy. It also allows districts to apply to DESE to use a K-3 literacy instruction curriculum that is not on DESE’s list of high-quality curricula, provided DESE verifies that it uses evidence-based literacy instruction.
The bill supports teachers by requiring DESE to provide tools and resources, including online materials and free training modules, to aid districts with professional development aligned with evidence-based literacy instruction for K-3. It also ensures that educator preparation programs are preparing future educators in alignment with evidence-based literacy instruction. To measure progress, the bill requires schools to report on early literacy instruction starting in the 2026 school year, and requires DESE to report annually on literacy instruction. Finally, the bill requires a study and district reporting on the literacy workforce in schools and school libraries, it also allows literacy grants to be used to coordinate screenings, professional development, and library investments.
“As a former public-school teacher, and as someone who cares deeply about the future of our Commonwealth, I believe strongly that Massachusetts must do more to address the literacy challenges that our students are facing, and to better prepare our students for life after graduation. That’s why these bills are so important, as they ensure that every student in the Commonwealth will have access to strong, evidence-based literacy instruction, and that students in Massachusetts will receive comprehensive financial literacy instruction as well,” said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “I want to thank Chairman Michlewitz, Leader Peisch, and Chairman Gordon for their hard work on these bills, and to all my colleagues in the House for voting to advance these critical reforms.”
“Over the past few years, the Commonwealth has met the financial needs of our school districts in the difficult post COVID days. Despite this new influx of funds, we have seen some troubling trends develop among our students, literacy being the most concerning. The legislation that the House engrossed today will take a major step toward reversing those trends and assist students and educators alike to improving a child’s path to receiving the world class education that we have come to expect for our students here in the Commonwealth”, said Representative Aaron Michlewitz (D-Boston), Chair of the House Committee on Ways & Means. “I want to thank Speaker Mariano for his commitment to the Commonwealth’s education system, as well Chairman Gordon and all my House colleagues for their hard work and dedication to this issue.”
"The Commonwealth has long prided itself in providing excellent public education. The legislation passed today ensures that students across Massachusetts have access to evidence-based literacy instruction, high-quality personal financial education, and equal opportunity to earn the State Seal of Biliteracy upon graduation," said Representative Ken Gordon (D-Bedford), House Chair of the Joint Committee on Education. "I am proud that Massachusetts is taking a stand against its declining reading scores and requiring that all our literacy curricula be evidence-based and high-quality. Thank you to Speaker Mariano for his leadership and support in bringing these three important pieces of legislation forward today."
The bill passed the House of Representatives 155-0. They now go to the Senate for consideration.
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Statements of Support:
Nancy Duggan, Executive Director of Decoding Dyslexia:
“The Right to Read Act provides the assurance of a high quality reading curriculum and supports all students regardless of zip code or special needs. This is a game changer for improved literacy in MA.”
Jorge Fanjul, Executive Director of Latinos for Education:
“Literacy is the foundation for lifelong success, yet far too many Latino students in Massachusetts are being left behind. With only two in ten Latino students reading on grade level, a decline from nearly four in ten just six years ago, the Right to Read Act is a necessary step to ensure all children, especially multilingual learners, have access to high-quality, evidence-based literacy instruction that sets them up to thrive. We’re deeply grateful to Speaker Mariano and the Legislature for their leadership and commitment to ensuring every child in the Commonwealth can read, learn, and succeed.”
Lisa Lazare, Executive Director, Educators for Excellence Massachusetts:
“Teachers know what works, and they are asking for this because they see what happens when students don't get the right reading instruction early on—they get passed from grade to grade, fall further behind, and eventually risk dropping out altogether. The Right to Read Act provides teachers with the tools they need to break this cycle. Our legislators have the power to change the trajectory for thousands of Massachusetts students this week. I urge them to vote yes and give every child in Massachusetts a chance to read.”
