THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, December 22, 2023 Page 3 In Malden, Healey-Driscoll Administration announces investment in early literacy O n December 20, the HealeyDriscoll Administration announced at the Mystic Valley YMCA an award of $850,000 to four organizations to increase access to evidence-based and culturally responsive literacy supports for Massachusetts preschoolers, enhancing school readiness and future academic achievement. These initiatives include coaching and professional development for districts focused on universal preschool and identifying preschool language and literacy assessments for districts to use, as well as creating a Preschool to Kindergarten Transition Toolkit to support children of all abilities. Also on December 20, Secretary of Education Patrick Tutwiler, Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw, Malden Mayor Christenson and State Representatives Steven Ultrino and Paul Donato visited preschool classrooms to see an early literacy lesson, as well as discause of the simple, yet profound reality that establishing literacy skills early is not only foundational to the remainder of that students’ education, it is foundational to the remainder of his or her life,” said Secretary Tutwiler. “I am proud that our agencies are working together to further expand eff orts to our preschoolers, setting up our youngest students for lifelong learning and success. We have to get this right.” Through a new multiShown from left to right: Malden Superintendent of Schools Ligia Noriega-Murphy, Mayor Gary Christenson, Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw, Secretary of Education Patrick Tutwiler, and State Representatives Paul Donato and Steve Ultrino (Photo Courtesy of the city of Malden) and strategies backed by evidence,” said Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll. “The Healey-Driscoll administration is prioritizing evidence-based early literacy bepronged, cross-agency eff ort by the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), the Administration is increasing access to evidence-based and culturally responsive early literacy programming for EEC programs. Some funding will be used to assess the early education and preschool fi eld to better understand where high-quality literacy materials and professional development should be targeted. Other funds will go toward increasing access to preschool language and literacy assessments so educators can identify where students are struggling and make informed adjustments. This investment will also support the Massachusetts Preschool to Kindergarten Transition Toolkit development to guide planning for children of all abilities across the state’s early education system. Together, these eff orts will create more high-quality learning enINVESTMENT | SEE PAGE 19 Early literacy event in Malden at the Mystic Valley YMCA (Photos courtesy of Mass.gov) cuss how the state’s Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative (CPPI) is supporting Malden to expand access to high-quality preschool in public and community-based settings. “Literacy is foundational to a student’s ability to succeed in school and beyond,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Our administration is committed to improving early literacy— and we’re starting by expanding this effort into our preschool classrooms. We’re taking a data-informed approach to push eff ective literacy strategies, high quality curriculum, and professional development that can improve learning outcomes for all of our students.” “Our administration is approaching early literacy with urgency. We’re committed to investing in programs that support our younger students and ensure they are using materials
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