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In September 2025, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts announced grant funding for enhanced early literacy instruction. This grant program is part of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s (DESE’s)  i�Ծ��پ����پ�����.

The DESE awarded the Pioneer Valley Literacy Consortium $199,284 for professional development for the 2025–2026 academic year. The Pioneer Valley Literacy Consortium includes the Frontier Regional School District, Northampton Public Schools, Shutesbury Public Schools and South Hadley Public Schools, as well as Smith College and ���챬��. This year is Mount Holyoke’s second year in the consortium.

“The grant will be used to continue to strengthen teaching and learning as it relates to evidence-based literacy instruction and assessment in our teaching methods courses,” said Sarah Frenette, director of the undergraduate teacher licensure program and Nexus track chair for educational policy and practice at Mount Holyoke. “It will have ripple effects in the public school classrooms that our teacher candidates are currently in, as well as in the classroom settings they will be in once they are certified teachers. Additionally, this grant will continue to strengthen our partnerships with several local school districts, including the South Hadley Public Schools that are new to the consortium this academic year.”

“All Massachusetts students deserve high-quality literacy instruction,” said Governor Maura Healey HD’25. “Through the Early Literacy Consortium program, we”re making sure our teachers are well prepared to teach evidence-based early literacy and help students develop critical reading and writing skills.”

“These grants fund important collaboration between and among districts and local educator preparation programs,” said Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Pedro Martinez. “I’m glad to see this training reach teachers who are in the classroom already and those who are preparing to enter the profession.”