MA S2940

Establishes the Early Literacy Fund with $25,000,000 transferred from the Education and Transportation Innovation and Capital Fund in fiscal year 2026 to support curriculum development, grants to districts, and professional development for evidence-based literacy instruction

Requires all school districts to adopt department-approved "high-quality curriculum" for kindergarten through grade 3 literacy by the 2027-2028 school year, with instruction covering five research-based areas: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension

Mandates screening assessments for reading ability and dyslexia indicators at least twice per year for students in kindergarten through grade 3, with parent notification within 30 days if a student falls significantly below grade level benchmarks

Requires the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to create and maintain free online training modules for teachers, a list of approved professional development vendors, and a free complete K-3 literacy curriculum available to all districts

Districts may apply for up to 5-year waivers to use alternative curricula not on the approved list, subject to department audit and potential rescission; annual reporting on literacy curricula and screening data begins in the 2027-2028 school year