This brief provides information about the literacy performance of students in grades K–3 in Massachusetts. It draws from data collected and analyzed in the report Early Literacy Performance in Massachusetts: Results of Ongoing Analysis of Literacy Screening Assessments.

Key Insights

  • Many students who begin the year below or significantly below benchmark remain in those categories throughout the year, although outcomes vary by grade.
  • Early childhood learning experiences have a protective effect against being identified as at risk of reading difficulty, highlighting the importance of preK education.
  • The probability of risk increases when various student background characteristics intersect, underscoring the need for tailored support.
  • Benchmarks for screening assessments vary across time periods, requiring careful interpretation of changes in risk classifications over time.

Read the Full Report

Early Literacy Performance in Massachusetts: Results of Ongoing Analysis of Literacy Screening Assessments

Download Other Briefs in This Series

Intersections: Student Background and Early Literacy Performance 

Early Literacy Screening Assessment Benchmarks