Press Release: 2/27/2026
Healey-Driscoll Administration Expands Early Literacy Training for Educators through Additional Literacy Launch Institutes
Summer opportunities open now for registration to serve up to 1,000 educators
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
2/26/2026
MEDIA CONTACT
Jacqueline Reis
Phone
Call Jacqueline Reis at 781-338-3115
Online
Email Jacqueline Reis at jreis@doe.mass.edu
EVERETT — The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced the opening of registration for the Summer 2026 Literacy Launch Institutes, a statewide training opportunity focused on early literacy for educators working with children in pre-K through grade 3.
Part of the administration’s Literacy Launch: Reading Success from Age 3 through Grade 3 initiative, the institutes provide hands-on, evidence-based professional learning to strengthen early literacy instruction. Launched in 2024, Literacy Launch remains a key pillar of Governor Healey’s investment in helping all children learn to read by third grade. Eligible educators can register for the institutes online.
In the summer of 2025, the first Literacy Launch Institutes reached over 500 educators. This year, the program has continued to serve educators in two weekend institutes in Worcester and Northampton. This summer’s four institutes will serve up to 1,000 more educators throughout the months of June, July and August. The summer 2026 schedule kicks off with institutes in Peabody and Marlborough in June.
“It’s crucial for our teachers to have access to high-quality training to support all of their students,” said Governor Maura Healey. “These institutes give hundreds of teachers and school and child care leaders the opportunity to learn cutting-edge, evidence-based literacy practices.”
“With Literacy Launch Institutes, we’re advancing our commitment to equitable literacy education in Massachusetts,” said Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll. “Public school and community-based pre-K early literacy educators can participate at no cost and learn the most up-to-date research and tools to help students succeed.”
Jointly offered by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC), Literacy Launch Institutes provide four full days of in-person training. Educators will learn how to integrate evidence-based and culturally sustaining literacy instruction in diverse classrooms. Any Massachusetts public school educator who supports literacy instruction in grades pre-K–3 is eligible to register at no cost until registration is full. This includes classroom teachers, special education teachers, English as a second language teachers, school principals and district leaders. Higher education faculty and leaders who train pre-service teachers in early literacy are also eligible, as are community-based preschool teachers.
“When educators are equipped with high-quality training and sustained support, students thrive,” said Acting Education Secretary and Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw. “These institutes represent an important next step in building a literacy strategy that works for every learner.”
“The first time we offered Literacy Launch Institutes, we had more demand than seats,” said Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Pedro Martinez. “I was thrilled to see how many educators—both new and experienced—participated, and I’m glad to offer more institutes in 2026.”
Massachusetts-based HILL for Literacy will facilitate the institutes. Teams that complete the program may be eligible to apply for additional in-school support during the 2026–27 school year. Participants will earn Professional Development Points (PDPs), and certain participants are eligible to receive a stipend for successful completion of an institute.
The FY26 state budget includes $15 million for Literacy Launch, supporting educator training, district grants, and teacher preparation program alignment. Governor Healey’s FY27 budget continues this investment in early literacy with $25 million for the third year of Literacy Launch.