Leadership PLC for Early Literacy Program Alignment

This professional learning community (PLC) is one important part of MA DESE’s statewide initiative to strengthen early literacy preparation through evidence-based and culturally and linguistically sustaining practices. Designed specifically for educator preparation program leaders, the PLC brings together deans, program directors, and other administrators responsible for programmatic and financial decision-making within licensure programs.

Facilitated by EdLighten Solutions and The Reading Circuit, this PLC provides a structured, collegial forum for leaders to examine DESE’s Early Literacy Approval Criteria and to plan for strategic alignment across coursework, clinical experiences, staffing, and resource allocation. 

Participants will engage with peers to explore implementation considerations, institutional impacts, and decision points necessary to ensure programs are positioned for approval and long-term sustainability.

Explore upcoming Early Literacy in Educator Preparation learning opportunities and learn more about the 2026 Early Literacy Conference.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us!

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PLC Sessions

PLC sessions will be held throughout the Spring and Summer of 2026. The outline below is a draft and will be updated based on participant input and facilitator availability. Please check back for the most current information.

Facilitators:
Dr. Steve Zrike Jr. | MA Secretary of Education
Claire Abbott | Director of Educator Effectiveness, MA DESE
Ellen Ballock | Dean, Herschend School of Education, Gordon College

Agenda

This opening session will set the context for Massachusetts’ new Early Literacy Program Approval Criteria by exploring the vision and policy drivers behind the state’s literacy initiatives. Participants will hear from state leaders about the goals for improving early literacy instruction and expectations for educator preparation programs, followed by a facilitated discussion to reflect on key takeaways and implications for program alignment.

Facilitators:
Katherine Tarca | Director of Literacy and Humanities  | MA DESE
David Chard | Dean Emeritus and Professor Emeritus, Boston University Wheelock College

Session Objectives:

  • Understand how research from neuroscience, education, psychology and child development has informed the new Early Literacy Program Approval Criteria
  • Understand how culturally and linguistically sustaining practices infuse the Early Literacy Program Approval Criteria
  • Understand the importance of an evidence-based coherent program of study in all domains of early literacy development
  • Understand how evidence-based literacy in teacher preparation spans licensure in Early Childhood, Elementary and Moderate Disabilities (K-8)

Facilitator: Lindsay Zorich | Assistant Director for Educator Preparation | DESE

Session in-person at the Early Literacy Conference

  • Identify institutional decision points to support the long-term sustainability of teacher preparation programs
  • Become familiar with the range of DESE provided supports for educator preparation programs
  • Share experiences in leveraging DESE provided supports, including challenges and successes
  • Formulate executive level action items in support of teacher preparation programs

Conference Website: https://www.earlyliteracyconference.com/

Session Objectives:

  • Share successful partnerships between teacher preparation programs and school districts
  • Share successful field-based experiences for teacher candidates
  • Understand knowledge and skills teacher candidates need to be successful literacy teachers upon graduation

MA DESE Resources

Mass Literacy – Statewide effort to empower educators with the evidence-based practices for literacy that all students need.

Early Literacy in Educator Preparation – Resources for Ed Prep Program Faculty including Early Literacy Program Criteria so that all teacher candidates have access to information about literacy and language acquisition that is based in current evidence. 

Early Literacy Observation Form – A form to support educator preparation supervisors to observe and provide high-quality feedback to teacher candidates.

Supporting Culturally and Linguistically Sustaining Practices
• Center for Instructional Support Guidance and Resources
• Center for Instructional Support Video Library
• Pathways to Equity in Early Literacy from Mass Literacy
• The Foundations of Early Literacy as a Tool for Equity – Webinar
• Culturally Responsive Practices in Early Literacy – Webinar
• Early Literacy Instruction for Multilingual Learners – Webinar
• DESE’s Educational Vision