The Massachusetts Teachers’ Association (MTA) is actively fighting reading legislation in both the house and senate in Massachusetts. Although the details vary a bit, this literacy legislation in Massachusetts shares the same core goal as similar laws in states like Mississippi and Florida: requiring instruction aligned with the science of reading. However, the southern states such as Mississippi and Florida have enacted stricter accountability measures — including mandatory retention for students who do not meet reading benchmarks — while Massachusetts has so far stopped short of imposing such penalties.

Below are three communications from the MTA in opposition to the bills:

1. A formal letter sent on September 15, 20025 to the Joint Committee on Education from the president and vice president of the Massachusetts Teachers Association.
2. A video from September 29, 2025 urging legislators to “listen to educators” and oppose the legislation.
3. An email on October 10, 2025 from the MTA’s education policy specialist.

You can read the bills here.