---
title: The Massachusetts' Early Literacy Intervention Driving Reading Growth Across the Commonwealth
description: These Massachusetts districts are turning the tide on the reading crisis.
image: https://info.ignite-reading.com/hubfs/Data%20and%20Assessments_Always%20on%20Campaign@3x-100.jpg
---
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### 1/3 of MA 1st graders are significantly behind in reading1
# Mass. districts are closing foundational skills gaps with evidence-based literacy intervention
In 48 Massachusetts districts, 15 minutes of daily 1:1 tutoring from Ignite Reading is getting kids on grade level and keeping them there. From the Berkshires to Boston, Springfield to the Cape, kids who started 1st grade behind are reading with confidence by spring, and Johns Hopkins University researchers found they hold onto those gains through 2nd grade.
- [Why Ignite Reading](https://info.ignite-reading.com/massachusetts#hs_cos_wrapper_module_17464733335273)
- [Efficacy](https://info.ignite-reading.com/massachusetts#hs_cos_wrapper_widget_1778579489049)
- [Hear From MA Districts](https://info.ignite-reading.com/massachusetts#hs_cos_wrapper_module_17775026665627)
- [Get Started](https://info.ignite-reading.com/massachusetts#hs_cos_wrapper_module_17775037631708)
6%→ 48%
1st graders reading at DIBELS benchmark 2 after one year with **Ignite Reading**
5.4mo
of additional reading growth vs. national benchmarks3 **across all student groups**
48
Massachusetts districts already building stronger readers with **Ignite Reading**
### Why Ignite Reading
## The 15-minute, 1:1 model that closes reading gaps for good
#### One tutor. One student. One relationship that builds a reader.
One-to-one tutoring during the school day gives every child an adult whose entire focus is on them: their specific reading gaps, their pace, and their progress.
#### Every school day. No missed sessions. No lost ground.
Fifteen minutes of tutoring, 5 days a week, ensures students build on yesterday's progress, every single day. The kids who need the most repetition finally get it, reliably and predictably.
#### 1st graders catch up and stay caught up.
A [Johns Hopkins University study](https://jscholarship.library.jhu.edu/items/5137999d-0a07-4d1d-af0c-6512ef03237c) of 13 Massachusetts districts found 17 in 20 students2 who reached reading benchmark with daily Ignite Reading tutoring stayed on track through the next school year.
#### Above-average growth for every student.
Johns Hopkins researchers found all student groups (including MLLs and students with IEPs) achieved similar reading growth with daily intervention — an additional 5.4 months of learning on average3 compared to national benchmarks.
## Hear from the districts leading Massachusetts' literacy turnaround
Jose Escribano
Assistant Superintendent,
Springfield Public Schools
"Ignite Reading has been a game-changer for our district. We've seen a significant improvement in student outcomes ... students are really loving the program, and teachers and administrators are noticing the difference in their schools."
Lisa Lineweaver
Principal, George F.
Kelly Elementary School, Chelsea
"Our graphs went from 60-some percent of students coming into 1st grade needing intensive support — and having that flip completely. I have not seen any other intervention that can do that."
Christine Shea
Director of Assessment & Accountability,
Westfield Public Schools
"Since we have been using Ignite \[Reading\], this jumped out right away and it has continued: Our multilingual learners grow at the same or even a better rate than the rest of our learners."
## Give every 1st grader in your district the chance to read on grade level.
Book a call with our Massachusetts team now to get your questions answered and start writing a new chapter for your students.
[](https://info.ignite-reading.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLKiz5nfNvNuuG3EEGxpCXEXODw8HAv%2B6MNwogqu2lLNXMHCqvNSsqJA678%2BW3R8sZK3KuVdVlMrDBrlr6h2FyQpmAvSp69lZpLY81y0cB9jC5ijLpOTBja8q0D6CXhdjRZdMViLmvstonA7FVl5TTrZU299S6A1rn7TcW%2BLeNBiWjFoMIEKx33%2BfDW7fmvtTgnZF9uh%2FjJXXsjoup7Gdh9jnzc7rR4BSuGidKRAF4h0hh55xJmwy3XPrRWk7H4%2FhL7wBqLCREnG0tq77S5ArWKIh7LnaHyBGgy3w6FcMSp8iRNGj7m%2BLJpEMvtVW5nhTA%3D%3D&webInteractiveContentId=222401129361&portalId=23384537&hsLang=en)
---
Data Sources:
1\. WestEd, Early Literacy Performance in Massachusetts (2025), 2023/24 screening assessment data.
2\. Center for Research and Reform in Education, The Johns Hopkins University; 2026
3\. Center for Research and Reform in Education at Johns Hopkins University, 2025; compared to national averages
## Our Impact
- [Our Impact](https://ignite-reading.com/our-reading-tutoring-impact/)
- [Success Stories](https://ignite-reading.com/case-studies/)
- [Blog](https://ignite-reading.com/insights/)
- [First Grade Promise](https://info.ignite-reading.com/1st-grade-promise?hsLang=en)
## Our Structured Literacy Program
- [Our Structured Literacy Program](https://ignite-reading.com/structured-literacy-tutoring-program/)
- [Reading Tutors](https://ignite-reading.com/reading-tutors/)
- [Curriculum](https://ignite-reading.com/foundational-literacy-skills-curriculum/)
- [District & School Supports](https://ignite-reading.com/tutoring-services/)
- [Why Ignite Reading](https://ignite-reading.com/foundational-reading-skills-tutoring/)
## Tutor for Us
- [Tutor for Us](https://ignite-reading.com/online-tutoring-jobs/)
- [Science of Reading Certification](https://ignite-reading.com/science-of-reading-certification/)
- [Start Dates](https://ignite-reading.com/start-dates-virtual-tutoring-jobs/)
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## About Us
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- [Our Team](https://ignite-reading.com/our-team/)
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- [Ignite Reading in the News](https://ignite-reading.com/news/)
- [Help Center](https://knowledge.ignite-reading.com/home?hsLang=en)
## Find Your State
- [California](https://go.ignite-reading.com/california-reading-intervention?hsLang=en)
- [Georgia](https://info.ignite-reading.com/georgia?hsLang=en)
- [Massachusetts](https://info.ignite-reading.com/massachusetts)
- [Ohio](https://info.ignite-reading.com/ohio?hsLang=en)
- [Oregon](https://info.ignite-reading.com/oregon?hsLang=en)
- [Virginia](https://info.ignite-reading.com/virginia?hsLang=en)
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