Waltham Gets $91K In Early Literacy Grant Funding

WALTHAM, MA — Waltham is one of 18 school districts in Massachusetts to receive a boost in funding for early literacy.

The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced today that it is awarding $1.2 million in grants to the 18 school districts and collaboratives to implement Appleseeds, a package of materials for teaching foundational reading skills in kindergarten through second grade.

While Appleseeds is free for download to all Massachusetts school districts, the grant will fund professional printing of the materials, plus professional development for educators, officials said.

“This Appleseeds grant is an important part of our administration's commitment to improving early literacy instruction,” said Governor Maura Healey.

According to state officials, Waltham will receive $91,466 .

Healey also shared more information about Literacy Launch, a program that would make early literacy professional development available for K-3 educators and provide support for preschool educators.

“We also recently proposed Literacy Launch in our latest budget, a historic investment in early literacy from age 3 to grade 3, on top of additional funding for continued literacy programming from DESE.”

The program will be implemented by the Executive Office of Education, in coordination with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Department of Early Education and Care, officials said.

A proposed $30 million fiscal year 2025 investment would help up to 45 school districts transition to a strong, evidence-based literacy program, and the funding would also accelerate review timelines for teacher education programs to require evidence-based early literacy training for future educators.

“Early literacy is a foundational building block for strong lifelong learning and an important way to kickstart a future full of opportunity,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland).

“The Senate’s proposed funding increases for evidence-based literacy learning in this year’s budget is a downpayment on our next generation of readers, writers, and leaders. I’m grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for their equitable and proactive work on this initiative, and to each of the educators who devote their lives to teaching our youngest learners.”