Dyslexia Parents Group of North Andover

03/01/2026

Check out this recent editorial in The Boston Globe.

“Learning to read should be a basic right of every child and an inescapable function of every school. The state’s longstanding first-in-the-nation ranking should not be allowed to mask its growing literacy crisis. Massachusetts is moving in the right direction on reading instruction, but it needs legislation to continue decisively down that road.”

The Right to Read Bill is in the home stretch. The conference committee has been named. Both House and Senate bill sponsors are at the table, which bodes well that a high quality final result will go to the Governor’s desk.

Today’s editorial correctly points out the importance of including teacher preparation in the Right to Read bill. This quote tells why:

“The reason we got into this mess is that many teachers said ‘we simply were not taught how to teach how to read,’’’

Meanwhile, the Educator Prep Program at UMass Amherst persists in sketchy behavior. They are withholding information from a respected watchdog group, claiming curriculum at our flagship public university is “proprietary information”.

IT’S PUBLIC INFORMATION! What are they hiding and why? This behavior highlights why legislation, followed by serious implantation has been badly needed for a long time. (Michael Moriarty)

Hoping for very good news very soon!

06/04/2025

Welcome to the Dyslexia Parents of North Andover page! Our goal is to unite parents through shared learning, conversations, and advocacy to support our children with reading challenges as they navigate their journey through the North Andover Public Schools. Website to come.

In the meantime, follow us for updates and future get-togethers. Our first parent coffee will be in August!

Initiatives:

Parent Education & Support

Facilitate educational workshops and support groups for parents focused on reading disabilities such as dyslexia, to promote continued learning, peer support, and empowerment.

School System Advocacy

Meet with stakeholders on town leadership committees and in school leadership to better understand the services offered, advocate for equity and improvements, share in the future vision of literacy in North Andover, and create an open dialogue around literacy.

Community Literacy Awareness

In coordination with local advocates and pediatrician offices, implement a town-wide awareness campaign using events, local media, and social platforms to reach residents with messages about literacy, the signs of reading difficulties, and available support.