MA H698

Requires school districts to use elementary literacy curricula aligned with evidence-based literacy instruction, which must include systematic, explicit teaching of phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension—explicitly prohibiting "three-cueing" or MSV methods

Mandates districts create improvement plans addressing evidence-based literacy instruction when more than 50% of K-3 students score below benchmarks on early literacy screenings

Requires the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to maintain a list of approved professional development programs and provide free online training modules on evidence-based literacy practices for teachers

Adds literacy curriculum evaluation to district review processes and requires educator preparation programs to align with evidence-based literacy instruction to receive state approval

Establishes annual district reporting requirements beginning in 2025, with data due by October 31 and a statewide report published by December 31, 2025