“The Next Chapter: Advancing Literacy Instruction Across the Commonwealth” convenes educators, policymakers, and community leaders to build momentum around the Right to Read Act with teachers leading the way
SPRINGFIELD, Mass., April 10, 2026—Today, Teach Plus Massachusetts and Teach For America Massachusetts are convening “The Next Chapter: Advancing Literacy Instruction Across the Commonwealth” summit to build momentum around the Right to Read Act, which grounds the teaching of literacy in evidence-based instruction, high-quality materials, and support for teachers. Nearly 60 percent of Massachusetts students in grades 3–8 cannot read at grade level, with the gap falling hardest on Black, Latino, multilingual, and low-income children. The need to address literacy is especially pivotal in Western Massachusetts, where just 31 percent of 3rd graders in Hampden County, including 24 percent in Springfield, and 15 percent in Holyoke are reading on grade level. The Next Chapter summit is led by teachers with the knowledge and expertise to empower every student, from early childhood through high school, in becoming a strong reader.
“The teachers I work with have fought relentlessly for their students and for literacy for all—testifying, writing op-eds, meeting with policymakers, and building coalitions in support of the Right to Read Act,” said Chris Marino, Executive Director of Teach Plus Massachusetts. “These educators know where instruction breaks down, what support is missing, and what it actually takes to teach every child to read. That knowledge must be at the center of bringing this legislation to students, which is why teacher leadership is at the center of The Next Chapter summit. It is where we start building progress together.”
“Our state policy leaders and our educators jointly recognize the need to advance critical reforms to how we approach literacy education in Massachusetts,” said Kerry Donahue, Executive Director of Teach For America Massachusetts. “The Next Chapter summit centers the voices of educators who are on the frontlines as we come together to ensure every child reads on grade level—the gateway to opportunity and economic mobility in our state.”
The Next Chapter summit will begin with a morning plenary featuring the Right to Read Act’s House sponsor Representative Simon Cataldo, 2025 Massachusetts State Teacher of the Year Luisa Sparrow, Teach For America Executive Director Kerry Donahue, and Teach Plus Massachusetts Executive Director Chris Marino, along with a performance by the MLK Charter School of Excellence Step Team.
The summit’s breakout sessions will focus on early literacy, multilingual learners, foundational skills and assessment, high-quality instructional materials, best practices for students with disabilities, and family and community engagement around literacy. The sessions will be led by classroom teachers and literacy specialists spanning ECE through high school who teach in Boston, Cambridge, Lawrence, Malden, Mashpee, Northampton, Randolph, Roslindale, Roxbury, Somerville, Springfield, and Taunton. Throughout the day, teachers will have the opportunity to exchange ideas and best practices directly with the policymakers and system leaders who shape the system in which their students learn.
“I’m thrilled that this summit is providing early childhood educators like me a chance to bring the conversation on children’s earliest literacy experiences into the spotlight. I hope that my workshop about building story acting into the daily practice in infant, toddler, preschool, and kindergarten spaces will help other teachers in Massachusetts not only teach the six essential pre-literacy skills, but also foster a love of language and an appreciation of the power of literacy in our lives,” said Suzanne Stillinger, Teach Plus Senior Policy Fellow, early childhood teacher leader, and accessibility coordinator at New Village in Northampton.
“Reading ability as early as 3rd grade predicts the likelihood of graduation, economic success and incarceration,” said Brandi Bellacicco, Holyoke Public Schools teacher and Teach For America alum. “The Next Chapter summit brings together teachers from across the state to share best practices related to literacy education and discuss how to improve student outcomes in this area.”
About Teach Plus Massachusetts
The mission of Teach Plus is to empower excellent, experienced, and diverse teachers to take leadership over key policy and practice issues that affect their students’ success. Since 2009, Teach Plus has developed thousands of teacher leaders across the country to exercise their leadership in shaping education policy and improving teaching and learning for students.
About Teach For America
Teach For America Massachusetts partners with school districts to place talented teachers and education leaders into classrooms, working tirelessly to improve educational outcomes for the state’s most economically disadvantaged students. TFA MA offers promising leaders a springboard for a purpose-driven career dedicated to creating a better future alongside young people and their communities. We have served over 200,000 students across the state. Our alumni network continues to work in schools and various sectors that shape the broader systems in which schools operate. The model is proven, TFA Massachusetts is consistently rated as one of the state’s top teacher training and support programs.
The Next Chapter literacy summit is made possible with the generous support of The Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation.
