Other bills passed include financial literacy instruction, and updating the criteria for awarding a Seal of Biliteracy to high school seniors
BOSTON – State Representative Richard M. Haggerty (D-Woburn) expressed support for three education bills recently passed by the Massachusetts House of Representatives. The legislation aims to improve elementary school reading outcomes, expand personal financial literacy instruction for middle- and high-school students, and update criteria for awarding the Seal of Biliteracy to graduating bilingual students.
“These bills give our schools the support they need to improve student literacy early on, teach students how to handle their money, and recognize students who speak multiple languages,” said Representative Haggerty. “This continues our state’s commitment to making sure every student in the Commonwealth gets the resources they need to succeed in school and beyond. I want to thank Speaker Mariano and the House for their leadership on these important issues.”
Early Literacy and Teacher Preparation
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.
Financial Literacy
The financial literacy bill passed today creates a Financial Literacy Trust Fund for educating middle- and high-school students on personal financial literacy. The funds may be used for procurement, development and distribution of personal financial literacy educational resources and materials, as well as professional development opportunities –including trainings, seminars, conferences and materials, for educators to use in teaching personal financial literacy.
The bill requires school districts to provide instruction to middle- and high-school students on personal financial literacy, starting in the 2026 school year, consistent with standards set by DESE, including:
- earning and spending income, local, state and federal taxes, charitable giving, methods of payment, consumer protection, balancing ledgers and checkbooks and budgeting;
- long-term saving, the role of banks and financial institutions, interest both simple and compound, financial regulation and planning for the future;
- using credit and making investments, risks of various financial instruments and basic diversification of assets;
- protecting and insuring assets, preventing identity theft and avoiding online scams;
- emerging technologies in the financial industry, a basic understanding of crypto currencies, online commerce and computer stock-trading, how to evaluate media content, including digital content relating to personal finance matters and how to evaluate risk; and
- rights and responsibilities of renting or buying a home or making other large purchases or investments.
The bill requires DESE to assist schools by facilitating access to high-quality curricular materials and professional development opportunities, which may be in person or through audio, video, or other electronic media. To measure progress, the bill requires DESE to report annually on personal financial literacy instruction.
Seal of Biliteracy
Currently, a state seal of biliteracy may be awarded by school districts to students who have attained a high level of proficiency in English and at least one additional language. The seal appears on the transcript or diploma of the graduating senior and is a statement of accomplishment for future employers and for college admissions.
To qualify, a student must meet criteria established by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE), including a specified level of performance on: the 10th grade language arts exams of the MCAS, and at least one nationally recognized and readily available assessment that measures literacy in a language other than English. The bill passed today updates these criteria by changing the MCAS requirement to allow another assessment or equivalent alternative to be established by BESE.
The three bills passed the House of Representatives 155-0. They now go to the Senate for consideration.
