Superintendent Dr. Michelle McKeon is proud to announce that Mansfield Public Schools has been awarded more than $550,000 in competitive state grants to expand access to high-quality English Language Arts (ELA) instruction and professional development for teachers.
Mansfield is one of 29 districts statewide that have been awarded Partnerships for Reading Success in Massachusetts (PRISM) II and III grants, funded through Literacy Launch as part of the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s commitment to early education.
Mansfield Public Schools received $464,006 through the PRISM II grant and $92,115 through PRISM III.
Literacy Launch: Reading Success from Age 3 through Grade 3 ensures that Massachusetts schools, educators, and students have access to high-quality, evidence-based reading instruction supported by instructional materials, technical assistance, coaching, and professional development. This funding represents a key investment in the future of early learners, equipping students with the reading and writing skills essential for both academic success and lifelong learning.
In its first year, Mansfield Public Schools will begin implementing newly selected English Language Arts instructional materials with support from the PRISM grants.
Through the program, all grantees receive support in establishing a representative team of educators and community members to select and implement curriculum that reflects local needs; targeted professional learning aligned with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s (DESE) IMplement MA process for evaluating, selecting, and implementing instructional materials; and expert coaching from DESE-selected PRISM curriculum and instruction coaches.
The grant funds will also cover professional development and curriculum planning costs for staff, including substitute coverage and teacher stipends for work beyond the school day.
"We are thankful for the commitment of the Healey-Driscoll Administration to prioritizing early literacy and ensuring positive outcomes for students," said Dr. McKeon. "I am especially grateful for the hard work of our Office of Teaching and Learning for their collaboration on this grant, and I look forward to the opportunities that this grant will provide for our students."