Massachusetts · 194th General Court (2025-2026)

H 5511Law

An Act relative to teacher preparation and student literacy

Source of recordMassachusetts · malegislature.govLast synced Sep 5, 2026

Chamber

House

Progress

Where this bill stands in the legislative process.

Introduced
Passed House
Passed Senate
To Governor
Became Law

Overview

This Act addresses improvements to teacher preparation programs and student literacy outcomes in Massachusetts. It requires teacher preparation programs to incorporate evidence-based practices focused on early literacy development, particularly in the foundational skills of reading. The legislation also mandates the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to develop and implement a system for monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of these practices in improving student literacy rates.

Key provisions

Teacher preparation programs must integrate evidence-based literacy practices.
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will create a monitoring system.
Focus on foundational reading skills (phonics, phonemic awareness) in teacher training.
Requirements for assessing and supporting students’ early literacy development.
Establishment of a task force to provide recommendations for improving teacher preparation.

Who is affected

Teacher preparation programs
Students in Massachusetts public schools
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Educators
School districts

Notable changes

Requires specific evidence-based practices in teacher education.
Establishes a framework for evaluating literacy initiatives.

Bill text

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Legislative history

11 recorded actions

Jun 17, 2026House

Reported from the committee of conference

Jun 17, 2026House

Reported on H4683

Jun 17, 2026House

Referred to the committee on House Steering, Policy and Scheduling

Jun 17, 2026House

Committee reported that the matter be placed in the Orders of the Day for the next sitting, the question being on acceptance

Jun 17, 2026House

Rules suspended

Jun 17, 2026House

Committee of conference report accepted - 153 YEAS to 0 NAYS (See YEA and NAY No. 217)

Jun 18, 2026Senate

Committee of conference report accepted, in concurrence

Jun 18, 2026House

Enacted

Jun 18, 2026Senate

Enacted -see Roll Call #195 (Yeas 39 to Nays 0)

Jun 18, 2026Senate

Laid before the Governor

Jun 26, 2026House

Signed by the Governor, Chapter 113 of the Acts of 2026

Votes

Recorded roll calls and chamber actions on this bill.

Vote map

Senate districts

Roll call

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Nay

Yea

Floor votes and chamber actions

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Recorded roll calls

Geography

Recorded positions across the state.

No public positions recorded for this legislation.

Arguments

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Arguments in favor

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Arguments opposed

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An Act relative to teacher preparation and student literacy

Progress

Overview

Key provisions

Who is affected

Notable changes

Bill text

Sponsors

Primary sponsor

Cosponsors

Legislative history

Votes

Vote map

Floor votes and chamber actions

Recorded roll calls

Geography

Arguments

Arguments in favor

Arguments opposed

Geography

Legislative history

Votes

Vote map

Floor votes and chamber actions

Recorded roll calls