THE EAGLE TRIBUNE METHUEN — Two Merrimack Valley schools have been granted a total of more than $800,000 in state funding to invest in early childhood literacy.

The funding was part of a wave of state grants, announced this week, which totals $9.3 million and covers 29 school districts and an educational collaborative. Methuen public schools were awarded $562,630 and the Community Day Public Charter School in Lawrence will be receiving $279,600.

According to a press release from the state, the money will go to ensure that students and educators have access to “high-quality, evidence-based reading instruction.” The funding is the second round of a grant program aimed at improving literacy.

Methuen Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Lisa Golobski said the money will fund the purchase, launch and implementation of a literacy program for lower school students, known as the Amplify Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) 3rd Edition.

“Throughout the year, teachers and leaders across the district will receive professional development from the publishers, along with support and progress monitoring from coaches,” said Golobski. “The skillful implementation of these high-quality instructional materials will build our students’ foundational reading skills and content knowledge.”

“A strong early literacy education is essential for students’ long-term success in school, career and beyond,” Gov. Maura Healey said. “We are investing in the educators, materials and systems our youngest learners need to learn how to read and read well.”

According to an end of year report from Methuen Public Schools, while 77% of students in kindergarten were reading at a grade level, only 58% of 4th graders were reading at their respective level. According to state statistics, 19.4% of the student population at the district is classified as English learners.

Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw said the funding is part of a drive by the Healey-Driscoll Administration to close literacy gaps in the state and expand student opportunity.

“By empowering educators and communities with the tools and resources they need, we’re helping every child build a strong foundation for lifelong learning and success,” said Kershaw.

Schools that have received the grants will either begin implementing new English language arts materials or engage in a curriculum evaluation and selection process.

Community Day Public Charter School Chief Academic Officer Mary Chance said their grant will go toward the school’s search for a new early English language curriculum. Chance said one of their key focuses is finding a program which is “equitable,” especially given the high number of students who speak both English and Spanish at the school.

She added that early literacy skills are the key to learning in all subjects.

Community Day Public Charter School is a free charter public school that enrolls students from Lawrence and the surrounding area. The school’s latest enrollment was 1,200 students with 28.2% of students English learners, according to state data.

Methuen, Lawrence schools receive more than $800k in literacy grants “This funding directly supports Methuen Public Schools’ articulated objective of accelerating students’ literacy development and language acquisition and offers valuable, timely support to both educators and students,” concluded Golobski.

Find the article on The Eagle Tribune here.

Written by Teddy Tauscher ttauscher@eagletribune.com

Published on August 22, 2025.