State
Follow the latest K-12 education developments across Massachusetts, including news from school districts, the state education agency, associations and education organizations.
Last updated: September 22, 2026
As of October 7, 2026, K-12 News has published 11 Massachusetts stories in total, from 1 organization. The most frequent themes are Funding, Early Childhood and Education Policy.
Schools in Massachusetts can apply for a share of $1 million in grants for cell phone-free schools, following the opening of applications by Gov. Healey.
Massachusetts Gov. Healey selected leaders in K-12 education in the western part of the state and universal preschool to serve on the Foundation Budget Review Commission.
Massachusetts officials have issued guidance for schools and child care providers on implementing the PROTECT Act under the Healey-Driscoll administration.
Massachusetts Governor Healey is working with Project Bread to offer meals at no cost to children attending child care settings and afterschool programs.
The Healey-Driscoll administration announced it will keep investing in tutoring to support early reading skills, with the funding covering 338 Massachusetts schools.
A total of $890,000 in education grants for civics instruction and student learning has been awarded in Massachusetts by the Healey-Driscoll administration.
Massachusetts Governor Healey signed a law aimed at preventing book bans in schools and libraries across the state, affecting access to books in both settings.
Gov. Healey awarded close to $25 million for literacy instruction in Massachusetts. The funding is intended to improve reading instruction across the state.
In Massachusetts, Gov. Healey signed the PROTECT Act, a measure to keep federal immigration enforcement officers out of school buildings, hospitals and courthouses.
The Healey-Driscoll administration marked a $500,000 investment from public and private funds to expand paid artificial intelligence internships for 400 students in Massachusetts.
Massachusetts Gov. Healey increased school funding to help retain teachers, paraprofessionals and mental health counselors, supporting staffing in the state's schools.
Governor
States and districts are taking different approaches to AI in education: Florida’s responsible-use approach spans prekindergarten through college, Illinois has issued nonbinding K-12 guidance, and New York City has announced a generative AI moratorium in public schools. Missouri is expanding access to free AI training and tools while leaving school adoption decisions local, and Massachusetts is expanding paid AI internships for 400 students through a $500,000 public-private investment. In higher education, Idaho has announced seven AI innovation awards across five colleges and universities.
States are expanding career pathways and hands-on learning through grants, new facilities and work placements, including apprenticeships and work-based learning in Florida, paid AI internships in Massachusetts and a manufacturing lab at Mililani High School in Hawaii. Pennsylvania awarded $3.5 million to broaden career pathways, while Mississippi launched a statewide initiative connecting classroom lessons with college and careers for the 2026–27 school year. Rhode Island and Maryland are working with Advance CTE to expand pathway access with student participation in program and policy design. At the federal level, a stopgap spending measure maintained Perkins V career and technical education funding at current levels through December 11.
Connecticut is expanding K–3 reading interventions and educator coaching through a five-year, $10 million grant covering 75 elementary schools, while Massachusetts is continuing early literacy tutoring funding for 338 schools and awarded nearly $25 million for literacy instruction. Nine Pennsylvania teacher preparation programs received accreditation aligned with structured literacy standards, and Mississippi designated science-of-reading schools and is implementing a statewide adolescent literacy initiative for 2026–27. Indiana reported its fifth consecutive year of rising literacy rates, while Colorado reported elementary literacy gains alongside persistent achievement gaps and declining middle school English language arts scores. In Maine, the number of students earning biliteracy recognition rose 18 percent, and the number of high schools offering it grew 11.5 percent.
States are using new laws and nonbinding guidance to address access to schools and books, student devices and artificial intelligence. Massachusetts enacted laws aimed at preventing book bans in schools and libraries and keeping federal immigration enforcement officers out of schools, hospitals and courthouses. Connecticut adopted guidance recommending bell-to-bell limits on students’ personal devices and addressing classroom screen time, while Illinois issued a framework for district decisions on AI in teaching and operations; neither sets statewide classroom mandates.
Safety centres, emergency planning, threat assessment, security funding and crisis response.
Construction, renovation, transport and school infrastructure investment.
Based on: Governor Healey Opens Applications for $1M in Cell Phone-Free Schools Grants
Based on: Governor Healey Partners with Project Bread to Provide Free Meals in Child Care and Afterschool Programs
Based on: Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces Continued Investment in Early Literacy Tutoring for 338 Schools
Based on: Healey-Driscoll Administration Celebrates $500,000 Public-Private Investment to Expand Paid AI Internships for 400 Massachusetts Students
Orange County Department of Education · Oct 7, 2026
Clark County School District · Oct 6, 2026
Orange County Department of Education · Oct 6, 2026
Maine Department of Education · Oct 6, 2026
Clark County School District · Oct 6, 2026
