Literacy Launch Institutes
Register Now for the 4-Day Literacy Launch Institutes this school year and elevate your practice!
BROUGHT TO YOU BY
Literacy Launch Institutes are designed to spread powerful, evidence-based early literacy instruction that celebrates Massachusetts students’ cultural and linguistic strengths. When students read and write by grade 3, they’re on the path to future academic success.
Literacy Launch Institutes provide 4 days of differentiated professional learning for educators teaching students from preschool to grade 3. With 5 available tracks, there’s a pathway for every educator on your team to build their confidence and expand their expertise!
Learning Tracks
Novice
This professional learning track is designed for educators who are ready to build a strong foundation in the why, what, and how of effective evidence-based early literacy instruction to support all learners across K-3 classrooms.
Is This the Right Track for Me?
This track is ideal for educators (classroom teachers, special education teachers, MLL teachers, school or district leaders, and paraprofessionals) who:
- have limited prior training or coursework in reading science and evidence-based literacy practices
- are new to teaching or to early grades (K-3)
- are veteran teachers looking to build or update their knowledge of explicit, systematic, core early literacy instruction
- are school or district leaders looking to build their understanding of early literacy foundations
Topics
Topics are tentative and subject to change.
Day 1:
1. Community Opening + The Reading Brain
2. The Power of Oral Language in Literacy Development
Day 2:
3. Phonological and Phonemic Awareness
4. Explicit and Systematic Phonics Instruction
Day 3:
5. Automaticity and Fluency
6. Linking Assessment Data to Instruction
Day 4:
7. Comprehension – Constructing Meaning Throughout a Complex Text
8. Showcasing Effective Comprehension Instruction + Putting it all Together
Advanced
This professional learning track is designed for educators who already have a strong foundation in evidence-based early literacy and want to deepen and update their expertise.
Is This the Right Track for Me?
This track is ideal for educators (classroom teachers, reading specialists, special education teachers, MLL teachers, interventionists, and literacy coaches) who:
- have completed extensive and recent training (30+ hour course within the last 5-10 years) in reading science and evidence-based early literacy.
- are looking to update their knowledge of recent research findings in reading science and evidence-based early literacy.
- feel confident in their knowledge of the research and use of evidence-based instructional practices related to:
- The theoretical models of reading (e.g. The Reading Rope and the Simple View of Reading)
- Phonological & phonemic awareness
- Explicit and systematic phonics instruction
- Automaticity
- Fluency
- Comprehension
If you have not yet completed formal training in evidence-based early literacy or want to build foundational knowledge, the Novice Track is recommended.
Topics
Topics are tentative and subject to change.
Day 1:
1. Community Opening + The Reading Brain – Accelerating Learning for All Students
2. Language and Literacy Development – Connecting Oral Language, Language Acquisition, and Reading Growth
Day 2:
3. Word Reading – Going Beyond Decoding
4. Spelling and Morphology — Unpacking Words on the Pathway to Meaning
Day 3:
5. Linking Assessment Data to Instruction
6. The Reading & Writing Connection – Part 1
Day 4:
7. The Reading & Writing Connection – Part 2
8. Showcasing the Reading & Writing Connection + Putting It All Together
Preschool
This track is designed for educators working with preschool-aged children who are looking to strengthen their understanding of evidence-based early literacy practices in the context of early childhood education and joyful emergent literacy learning.
Is This the Right Track for Me?
This track is ideal for preschool educators (classroom teachers, MLL teachers, Sp.Ed. teachers, literacy coaches, related service providers, paraprofessionals, lead teachers, and teaching assistants) who:
- have a basic understanding of evidence-based early literacy concepts (e.g., oral language, print concepts) and want to explore how these apply specifically to the preschool setting
- are new to evidence-based early literacy and seek introductory training
- completed a licensure program several years ago and want to update their knowledge
- are looking to refresh their understanding—whether they are new to teaching, transitioning into a preschool role, or returning to the preschool classroom
Topics
Topics are tentative and subject to change.
Day 1:
1. Community Opening + Foundations for Learning to Read and Write
2. Joyful Emergent Literacy Instruction
Day 2:
3. Oral Language
4. Vocabulary Development
Day 3:
5. Print Concepts
6. Phonological Awareness
Day 4:
7. Assessment to Inform Instruction
8. Launch into Application + Putting it all Together
School & District Leaders
This professional learning track is designed for instructional leaders who bring experience and expertise in evidence-based early literacy and are seeking to deepen, refine, and update their knowledge to drive high-impact literacy instruction systemwide.
Is This the Right Track for Me?
This track is ideal for school and district leaders (literacy coaches, principals, assistant principals, curriculum coordinators/directors, Sp.Ed. directors, MLL directors, and assistant superintendents) who are responsible for guiding literacy implementation, supporting educator growth, and ensuring instructional alignment with evidence-based practices across classrooms and schools. Participants should already be familiar with the core elements of reading science and be ready to focus on leadership moves, data routines, and coaching practices that advance equitable literacy outcomes.
If you have not yet completed formal training in evidence-based early literacy or want to build foundational knowledge, the Novice Track is recommended.
Topics
Topics are tentative and subject to change.
Day 1:
1. Community Opening + Accelerating Early Literacy Systemwide
2. Language and Literacy Development for All Learners
Day 2:
3. Foundational Skills: Observing & Strengthening Core Instruction
4. Phonics Leadership and System Coherence
Day 3:
5. Building Knowledge and Comprehension through Text
6. Writing and Oral Language in a Knowledge-Building Classroom
Day 4:
7. Observation, Data, & Coaching for Continuous Improvement
8. Sustaining Literacy Leadership and Collective Efficacy + Putting It All Together
Educator Prep Program Faculty & Staff
This professional learning track is designed to strengthen participants’ understanding and application of evidence-based early literacy practices aligned with the Early Literacy Program Approval Criteria. It also helps participants build their capacity to effectively use the Early Literacy Observation Form (ELOF) to better support teacher candidates in their coursework and practicum placements.
Is This the Right Track for Me?
This track is ideal for Faculty (full-time and part-time), Program Supervisors, and Supervising Practitioners involved in educator preparation across the following licensure programs:
- Early Childhood (PK-2)
- Elementary Education (1-6)
- Moderate Disabilities (PK-8)
Topics
Topics are tentative and subject to change.
Day 1:
1. Community Opening + Setting the Stage for Teacher Candidate Preparation in Early Literacy
2. Core Principles of Intentional and Equitable Literacy Instruction
Day 2:
3. Language and Literacy Development
4. Foundational Reading Skills: Phonological Awareness & Phonics
Day 3:
5. Foundational Reading Skills: Automaticity & Fluency
6. Engaging in Complex Text
Day 4:
7. Writing: Fluency, Process, & Craft
8. Scaling Impact: Applying Learning Within Your Organization + Putting It All Together
Hidden
Novice
This professional learning track is designed for educators who are ready to build a strong foundation in the why, what, and how of effective evidence-based early literacy instruction to support all learners across K-3 classrooms.
This track is ideal for educators (classroom teachers, special education teachers, MLL teachers, school or district leaders, and paraprofessionals) who:
- have limited prior training or coursework in reading science and evidence-based literacy practices
- are new to teaching or to early grades (K-3)
- are veteran teachers looking to build or update their knowledge of explicit, systematic, core early literacy instruction
- are school or district leaders looking to build their understanding of early literacy foundations
Advanced
This professional learning track is designed for educators who already have a strong foundation in evidence-based early literacy and want to deepen and update their expertise.
This track is ideal for educators (classroom teachers, reading specialists, special education teachers, MLL teachers, interventionists, and literacy coaches) who:
- have completed extensive and recent training (30+ hour course within the last 5-10 years) in reading science and evidence-based early literacy.
- are looking to update their knowledge of recent research findings in reading science and evidence-based early literacy.
- feel confident in their knowledge of the research and use of evidence-based instructional practices related to:
- The theoretical models of reading (e.g. The Reading Rope and the Simple View of Reading)
- Phonological & phonemic awareness
- Explicit and systematic phonics instruction
- Automaticity
- Fluency
- Comprehension
If you have not yet completed formal training in evidence-based early literacy or want to build foundational knowledge, the Novice Track is recommended.
Preschool
This track is designed for educators working with preschool-aged children who are looking to strengthen their understanding of evidence-based early literacy practices in the context of early childhood education and joyful emergent literacy learning.
This track is ideal for preschool educators (classroom teachers, MLL teachers, Sp.Ed. teachers, literacy coaches, related service providers, paraprofessionals, lead teachers, and teaching assistants) who:
- have a basic understanding of evidence-based early literacy concepts (e.g., oral language, print concepts) and want to explore how these apply specifically to the preschool setting
- are new to evidence-based early literacy and seek introductory training
- completed a licensure program several years ago and want to update their knowledge
- are looking to refresh their understanding—whether they are new to teaching, transitioning into a preschool role, or returning to the preschool classroom
School & District Leaders
This professional learning track is designed for instructional leaders who bring experience and expertise in evidence-based early literacy and are seeking to deepen, refine, and update their knowledge to drive high-impact literacy instruction systemwide.
This track is ideal for school and district leaders (literacy coaches, principals, assistant principals, curriculum coordinators/directors, Sp.Ed. directors, MLL directors, and assistant superintendents) who are responsible for guiding literacy implementation, supporting educator growth, and ensuring instructional alignment with evidence-based practices across classrooms and schools. Participants should already be familiar with the core elements of reading science and be ready to focus on leadership moves, data routines, and coaching practices that advance equitable literacy outcomes.
If you have not yet completed formal training in evidence-based early literacy or want to build foundational knowledge, the Novice Track is recommended.
Ed Prep Program Faculty & Staff
This professional learning track is designed to strengthen participants’ understanding and application of evidence-based early literacy practices aligned with the Early Literacy Program Approval Criteria. It also helps participants build their capacity to effectively use the Early Literacy Observation Form (ELOF) to better support teacher candidates in their coursework and practicum placements.
This track is ideal for Faculty (full-time and part-time), Program Supervisors, and Supervising Practitioners involved in educator preparation across the following licensure programs:
- Early Childhood (PK-2)
- Elementary Education (1-6)
- Moderate Disabilities (PK-8)
Dates & Locations
School Year 2025-26 Friday/Saturday Institutes
Registration is now open. (Why Friday/Saturdays? See our FAQs!)
Worcester Institute
Friday/Saturdays: 1/30, 1/31 and 2/6, 2/7
8:00am – 3:00pm each day
College of the Holy Cross
Hogan Campus Center
1 College Street
Worcester, MA 01610
Northampton Institute
Friday/Saturdays: 2/27, 2/28 and 3/6, 3/7
8:00am – 3:00pm each day
Hotel Northampton
36 King Street
Northampton, MA 01060
Summer 2026 Institutes
Registration to open in February 2026.
MetroWest Institute
Dates: June 23-26, 2026
8:00am – 3:00pm each day
North Shore Institute
Dates: June 23-26, 2026
8:00am – 3:00pm each day
South Shore Institute
Dates: July 27-30, 2026
8:00am – 3:00pm each day
Greater Boston Institute
Dates: August 3-6, 2026
8:00am – 3:00pm each day
Registration
Earn PDPs | Stipend | Graduate Credit
Eligibility:
Literacy Launch Institutes are open to individuals and school/district-based teams who are:
- currently employed Massachusetts public school educators whose work relates to literacy, including general education teachers, special education teachers, ESL or language support teachers, principals, paraprofessionals, literacy coaches, and other school or district administrators whose work relates to literacy in preschool to grade 3. Educators from community-based preschool programs are invited to attend with an LEA sponsor (e.g., district public school that they partner with through CPPI, as a CFCE, GLEAM, PRISM I, etc.). Paraeducators are also invited to attend as part of a district or school team.
- Massachusetts educator preparation program faculty, staff, and personnel whose work relates to literacy in preschool to grade 3.
Stipends:
Certain educators who participate in the Literacy Launch Institutes are eligible to receive a stipend of up to $500. Please read the details below carefully to determine your eligibility and the stipend amount.
Stipend Details
- Friday/Saturday Institute Stipend: $250 (For Saturday time only; Fridays during the school year are considered regular work time.)
- Summer Institute Stipend: $500
ELIGIBILITY FOR STIPENDS: To receive a stipend for participating in the Literacy Launch Institutes, educators must:
- Be eligible to participate in Literacy Launch Institutes. Please see FAQs for details.
- Attend a minimum of 3.5 days of one Literacy Launch Institute. It is the responsibility of each attendee to ensure they have successfully been scanned in and out of each session daily so that their attendance is documented. Attendance records are locked in daily and will be considered the authoritative record.
- Complete all assignments, surveys, and assessments during and directly after (e.g., participation, satisfaction surveys) the Literacy Launch Institute.
- Attend the Institutes outside of regular work time. Educators being paid by their employer to work on the days of the institute, such as weekdays, are not eligible for the stipend. This may also apply to administrators during the summer months. You will be required to certify eligibility during the registration process.
- Complete all required stipend payment paperwork via email and/or website.
Please Note: Employees of Commonwealth Charter Schools and of Massachusetts public institutions of higher education are categorized as state employees and will need to complete an ethics disclosure in order to receive a stipend.
Completion Requirements:
Completion is defined as attendance at a minimum of 3.5 days of the institute, and completion of all activities and surveys. In addition, all participants must complete DESE’s Post-Assessment at the end of the course. Educators must successfully complete the course in order to earn PDPs, a stipend, or graduate credit. No stipends will be paid for incomplete courses.
Graduate Credit:
Participants may choose to purchase 2 graduate credits, offered by Westfield State, upon successful completion of the Institutes. The cost to purchase 2 graduate credits is $350, to be paid by the participant. Please note that there will be additional assignments to complete in order to earn graduate credits from Westfield.
How To Register:
Complete the form below in its entirety including uploading the required signed Administrator Permission Form.
Administrator Permission Form:
Educators who participate in the Friday/Saturday institutes will need to get release time on two Fridays and will attend on two Saturdays on their own personal time. School and/or district leaders will be asked to confirm that registered educators from their school or district will be granted release time to attend the two Friday dates of the institutes. Substitute coverage for the Friday sessions is the responsibility of the school/district. The following process will be used during registration for School Year Institutes only:
- Educators complete and submit their registration for the Literacy Launch Institutes.
- As part of registration, participants must upload a signed permission form from a school administrator.
- The permission form is linked within the registration process and can also be downloaded in advance here.
PLEASE NOTE: Submission of the registration form does NOT guarantee a spot in the Institutes. Space is limited and registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. When a track reaches capacity, all new registrations will automatically be placed on a waitlist. Once you submit your registration form you will need to follow the confirmation process sent to your email in order to secure your spot at the institute. If the track is already full you will be notified about your place on the waitlist.
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!
Coaching Opportunity
Attend as a Team—Unlock an Additional Opportunity!
School or district teams that attend any 4-day Literacy Launch Institute may be eligible to apply for free coaching at your school site from HILL for Literacy. This exclusive coaching opportunity—offered only to teams—will support implementation of evidence-based early literacy practices learned at the Institute.
Visit the Coaching Page for more information on eligibility criteria and the coaching experience!
FAQs
Frequent Asked Questions are continuously updated. Please contact us if you have a question you do not see answered below.
Follow-up Coaching Opportunity
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What constitutes an eligible team for the free coaching opportunity?
School Team:
The following criteria must be met for a school team to be eligible for follow-up coaching:
- The team members are from the same school and all have completed a Literacy Launch Institute (any institute in any year).
- The total number of team members represents a minimum of 50% of the school’s early literacy educators
Who is considered an early literacy educator?
- Building administrators (Principal, Assistant Principal)
- Literacy Specialists/Coaches
- Reading Specialist
- PK-3 Classroom Teachers
- Instructional support teachers working within the PK-3 grade span
- Interventionists
- Special Education Teachers
- ESL Teachers
- There are a variety of school roles represented on the team. Must include educators representative of each group below:
- Group 1: School/Instructional Leaders
- Principal
- Assistant Principal
- Literacy Coach
- Group 2: Classroom Teachers spanning grade levels PK-3
- Group 3: Instructional Support Teachers
- Special Educators
- ESL Teachers
- Interventionists
- Reading Specialists
District Team:
The following criteria must be met for a district team to be eligible for follow-up coaching:
- The team members are from the same district, and can be an already established District Leadership Team
- Minimum of 5 and maximum of 10 district-based early literacy leaders who have completed any of the Literacy Launch Institutes
- Variety of district roles represented on the team. Must include at least one educator representative of each group below:
- Group 1: District Admin
- Superintendent
- Assistant Superintendent
- Chief Academic Officer
- Group 2: District Instructional Support
- MLL Director
- Sp.Ed. Director
- Curriculum Directors
- Literacy Coaches
Do team members need to attend the same Literacy Launch Institute?
No. Team members from the same school or district can attend any Literacy Launch Institute in any year. Once eligibility thresholds are met, the team can apply for coaching the following school year.
Can a district coach join a school team?
Yes. A school team may include a district-assigned literacy coach.
When can our school apply for coaching?
Applications will open in Winter/Spring 2026. We encourage you to be sure you are registering for institutes with an eligible team.
Miscellaneous
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Can I attend only one day of the institutes?
No, enrollment is for the entire 4-day institute. The modules are part of a series that build upon each other, so taking all of them is important.
I can’t attend this school year. Will there be more opportunities?
What if I can’t make it to Worcester or Northampton?
Will there be particular programs/ resources referenced during the institute?
The Literacy Launch Institutes are curriculum agnostic. The Institutes will focus on building educators’ knowledge and skill in implementing evidence-based and culturally and linguistically sustaining early literacy practices.
Registration & Enrollment
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Why Friday/Saturday Institutes?
The school year institutes are designed to provide educators who may not be available during the summer months with the opportunity to attend the Literacy Launch Institutes. The intention of the Friday/Saturday structure is to strike a balance between work time and personal time for educators who have limited availability outside of work hours. Our goal is to provide as many educators as possible with an opportunity to attend the institutes that is supportive of their schedule and context without causing significant disruption of the school day.
Can I register as an individual for the Literacy Launch Institutes?
Yes! Individual educators are welcome to register on their own and bring their new knowledge back to their schools and classrooms.
Can I bring a team to Literacy Launch Institutes?
Yes! In fact, we strongly recommend it. PK-3 school and district teams will also be eligible to apply for coaching after the institutes.
Does my entire team need to enroll in the same track?
No! One of the unique qualities of Literacy Launch Institutes is the differentiated learning tracks. If you are registering with a team of educators, please select the individual track that best matches each team member’s need.
When will my registration be confirmed?
Once you submit your registration form you will need to follow the confirmation process sent to your email in order to secure your spot at the Institute. If the track is already full you will be notified about your place on the waitlist.
Are private schools eligible?
Unfortunately, no. However, HILL For Literacy would be happy to discuss how we can meet your district needs through direct consultation. Contact us using the form below today!
Are charter schools eligible?
Yes, individual educators and teams from public charter schools are eligible to register for Literacy Launch Institutes.
Are community-based preschool educators eligible?
Yes. Educators from community-based preschool programs are invited to attend with an LEA sponsor (e.g., district public school that they partner with through CPPI, as a CFCE, GLEAM, PRISM I, etc.).
Are paraeducators eligible?
Yes. Paraeducators are invited to register as part of a district or school team.
What does it mean if I am on the waitlist?
Once a learning track reaches capacity, any new registrations will automatically be placed on the waitlist. We will also post a notification on this website. If an accepted registrant is no longer able to attend, we will take the next eligible person in line off the waitlist to enroll in the Institutes and notify them of next steps.
What is the MEPID and where can I find mine?
The MEPID is a unique identifier assigned to all educators and to school district staff in Massachusetts. Educators can find their MEPID in the Personal Information section on the Inquiry Activity—Summary page in your ELAR account. To get to this page, login to ELAR and click on the Check license status and history, make a payment link on the Welcome to ELAR screen. The MEPID number should be located right above your name.
I've already attended an Institute. Can I register again for a different track?
Previous Literacy Launch Institute attendees may register for a different track; however, they will be automatically placed on the waitlist to prioritize open seats for new educators across the state and ensure as many educators as possible are given the opportunity to attend the Institutes. Should a track not reach capacity, any remaining seats will be offered to individuals on the waitlist, including those who have previously attended Literacy Launch Institutes.
Stipends, PDPs & Grad Credits
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Can I receive PDPs and a stipend?
Yes, PDPs will be provided to all participants based on their participation separately from stipends.
When and how will I be paid the stipend?
Educators will receive a stipend upon completing the full Literacy Launch Institute course. It may take up to 120 days to receive stipends after course completion. No stipends will be paid for incomplete institutes.
Please use the Contact Us form below to contact HILL for Literacy with questions related to stipends. As the provider of Literacy Launch Institutes, HILL for Literacy is responsible for any and all payroll and/or tax documentation that may be required related to stipend payment. DESE is not responsible for the issuance of stipends or the accounting or tax implications thereof. DESE will not be intervening in or settling any disputes regarding stipends.
Contact Us
About
Literacy Launch Institutes are presented by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education and HILL for Literacy, in collaboration with:
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LITERACY LAUNCH INSTITUTES
BROUGHT TO YOU BY:
