THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JULY 10, 2026 Page 5 MASS. HOUSE | FROM Page 4 pre-pandemic levels. Almost 60 percent of all students in grades three to eight are not meeting or exceeding expectations in ELA, and 50 percent in grade 10 are not meeting or exceeding ELA expectations. Additionally, achievement gaps among major racial and ethnic student groups and low-income students have widened when compared with 2019, according to data from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). High-quality early literacy education Chapter 113 defines evidence-based early literacy as instruction featuring phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension and phonemic awareness and that which is demonstrated to produce signifi cant and positive eff ects on student learning outcomes. It prohibits curricula that are not evidencebased and curricula that rely on implicit or incidental word reading strategies, including MSV/ three cueing. Many school districts in Massachusetts have already switched to evidence-based early literacy curricula, with some assisted by grants awarded through the state’s Literacy Launch program, which is administered by DESE and funded by the Legislature at $35 million. However, some school districts have yet to fully adopt evidence-based literacy curricula that have been proven to be most eff ective in improving reading outcomes. Chapter 113 requires DESE to extend its free, high-quality K-2 literacy curriculum — currently available to Massachusetts school districts through grade 2 — to include grade 3. DESE will be required to continue its practice of maintaining a list of other evidencebased K-3 literacy curriculum options that is kept up to date with current best practices and new curriculum releases. Chapter 113 also allows districts to apply to DESE to use a K-3 literacy instruction curriculum that is not on DESE’s approved list, provided DESE verifi es that the curriculum utilizes evidencebased literacy instruction and meets quality standards. Chapter 113 requires school districts to assess students’ reading abilities and review their progress at least twice each school year from kindergarten through third grade. For students who perform significantly below established benchmarks, schools must notify families of the screening results and provide a plan to address the student’s needs. Chapter 113 also formalizes dyslexia and literacy screening requirements by requiring schools to develop protocols for identifying potential neurological learning disabilities, including dyslexia, and to report their screening practices annually. To track progress, DESE must collect, aggregate and publish annual statewide data on districts’ use of literacy curricula and instructional practices. In addition, literacy curriculum requirements will be incorporated into a district’s improvement plans, which school districts are already required to develop every three years, ensuring that implementation of and compliance with the new literacy requirements are regularly monitored and addressed. Teacher preparation Chapter 113 supports educators by requiring DESE to provide tools and resources that help school districts off er professional development that is aligned with evidence-based reading curricula for kindergarten through third-grade literacy teachers, paraprofessionals and reading specialists. In addition, the legislation expands upon a 2024 pilot program for paid teaching apprenticeships in high-needs districts by directing DESE to support participants’ wages and essential expenses, making the program more accessible and inclusive. DESE is also required to evaluate and report on the program’s outcomes, including licensure pass rates, hiring results, impacts on student achievement and the feasibility of expanding the apprenticeship model statewide. Chapter 113 ensures that educator preparation programs are preparing future educators in alignment with evidence-based literacy instruction. BOARD OF HEALTH | FROM Page 1 drawal symptoms. However, kratom’s eff ectiveness in reducing opioid cravings has not been thoroughly evaluated. The Drug Enforcement Administration considers kratom a “Drug or chemical of concern.” In the U.S., kratom is sold in concentrated, synthetic forms that can be addictive and dangerous. Health Board members discussed the option of banning synthetic kratom. However, because there are no laws regulating the sale of kratom or laws requiring the clear labeling of synthetic and natural kratom, the board decided to ban all kratom at least until clearer regulations from the state Gerry D’Ambrosio Attorney-at-Law Is Your Estate in Order? Do you have an update Will, Health Care Proxy or Power of Attorney? If Not, Please Call for a Free Consultation. 14 Proctor Avenue, Revere (781) 284-5657 MORE SUPPORT. MORE SOLUTIONS LESS WORR Clear answers, faster decisions, and a team that goe to get things done. We make it easy for ou to ge Because here, easy means more. team that goe r you to get more of what you want. EverettBank.com are implemented. A state bill, “An Act concerning the regulation of Kratom,” would defi ne kratom products and impose labeling, purity and age restrictions if it becomes law. All three members of the Board of Health stressed that the health and well-being of the Revere population is their priority and all three felt the safest path forward is to ban kratom sales in the city. Director of Public Health Lauren Buck has said that kratom use is not widespread in Revere, but the potential for harm, including addiction, overdose and death, is signifi cant. Revere joins several other Massachusetts municipalities, such as Lowell and Canton, that have moved forward with kratom bans.
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