Now Open: DESE Early Literacy Tutoring applications through June 23, 2026. Click here to learn how Catapult Learning can support your district’s application and implementation planning.

Apply for DESE Early Literacy Tutoring Funding by June 23

Catapult Learning is a DESE-approved tutoring provider supporting Massachusetts districts through the Early Literacy Tutoring Opportunity. During the 2025–26 school year, Catapult Learning partnered with 13 Massachusetts districts through DESE-supported literacy initiatives, building on a broader statewide footprint that has supported more than 1,500 students. Applications for the 2026–27 cycle close June 23.
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State map showcases locations of Catapult Learning school partnerships. Blue: public school partnerships | Green: private school partnerships

Supporting Massachusetts Educators and Students at Scale

improved early literacy
Massachusetts districts supported
school partners
students served

Why Massachusetts Districts Choose Catapult Learning

During the 2025–26 school year, Catapult Learning partnered with a focused group of Massachusetts districts to deliver DESE-supported tutoring. Our localized support model allows district leaders to work directly with Massachusetts-based implementation experts, creating a more personalized experience for district leaders, schools, and students.

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Local Team Support:

Massachusetts-based implementation and partnership leaders.

Evidence-Based Literacy:

Science of Reading-aligned instruction.

In-School Delivery:

Tutoring integrated into your school day.



Impactful Academic Growth

“Their team has been instrumental in providing tailored, intensive support that has significantly benefited our students. The tutors are skilled and have created a nurturing environment that fosters academic growth and confidence. Their structured approach and commitment to excellence has made a substantial impact on our students’ learning outcomes.”

School Leader

Massachusetts

Our Services in Massachusetts

We specialize in helping educators strengthen instruction and accelerate student growth through professional development for educators, high-dosage tutoring, and intervention services for students. Explore more below or click a button to dive deeper into how you can bring Catapult Learning services to your Massachusetts school.

Funding Pathways Get Started
  • Empower Educators

    Professional Development

    We help districts build educator capacity across the areas that matter most: instructional excellence, leadership development, student behavior and special education, and mental health. 

    Highlights:

    • Job-embedded coaching 
    • Workshops and institutes 
    • PDNow online learning platform 
  • Accelerate Learning

    High-Dosage Tutoring

    High-dosage tutoring accelerates learning and builds academic confidence through frequent, focused sessions delivered by trained tutors.

    Highlights:

    • DESE-approved literacy tutoring provider
    • Supports K–3 students with priority for Grade 1
    • Available during the school day
    • Flexible implementation models
    • Designed for districts using evidence-based literacy instruction
  • Targeted Support

    Intervention Services

    Our intervention programs help students overcome academic challenges through structured, research-based instruction and skill-building at a comfortable pace.

    Highlights:

    • Standards-aligned, systematic lessons 
    • Built-in diagnostic and progress assessments
    • Research-based, multi-tiered curriculum
  • Experiential Education

    Summer Journey

    Engaging summer programs prevent learning loss while building academic skills, social confidence, and resilience in a supportive, fun environment.

    Highlights:

    • Academic instruction with enrichment
    • Multiple delivery options: in person, virtual, hybrid
    • Family engagement and student wellness supports

Why Massachusetts Districts Choose High-Dosage Tutoring

Learn how our High-dosage tutoring model helps students make measurable gains through structured, data-driven instruction. This short video brings the approach to life with real examples from classrooms. 

Partnering with Catapult Learning 

Catapult Learning combines the scale of a national provider with the responsiveness of a local Massachusetts team. Throughout the DESE tutoring initiative, our district partners work directly with Massachusetts-based leaders who support planning, staffing, implementation, and ongoing program success.

DESE Applications Open: June 4 | Applications Close: June 23 | Match Notifications: Aug. 10–14 | Tutoring Launches: October 2026


Schedule a DESE Planning Conversation

Apply for DESE Funding

Submit your district application through DESE by June 23, 2026.

Partner with a Local Team

Work directly with Massachusetts-based implementation leaders who understand district needs and DESE requirements.

Launch with Confidence

Receive support for staffing, scheduling, onboarding, and ongoing program delivery.

Personalized Learning Approach

“I loved how the teacher found ways to get to know my child and what works best for her. They connected right away.”

Parent of a Tutoring Student

Boston, MA

Funding Pathways in Massachusetts

Catapult Learning services are eligible for several local, state, and federal funding sources. Need help navigating funding timelines or eligibility? We’ve got you covered.

Massachusetts districts may apply for DESE’s Early Literacy Tutoring Opportunity through June 23, 2026. Pending final state budget approval, tutoring services will be available at no cost to participating districts.

Priority is given to districts demonstrating:

  • Evidence-based literacy instruction
  • Clear student need
  • Readiness to implement tutoring
  • Continuity with prior participation where appropriate

Match notifications are expected in August 2026.

Federal funds that support student achievement: Title I for academic support, Title II for teacher professional development, Title III for English learner services, and Title IV for student well-being and enrichment.

Local budgets that allow schools and districts to allocate resources directly toward instructional programs, staffing, and student supports.

Funding from community-based organizations and local foundations that invest in literacy, equity, and other student success initiatives.

We Are An Approved DESE Vendor

Catapult Learning is approved by DESE to provide early literacy and math tutoring services in Massachusetts. Our in-person model helps districts support foundational literacy development through student-centered instruction delivered by trained tutors. Services are designed to complement evidence-based literacy instruction and support districts seeking flexible implementation options during the school day.

Supporting Massachusetts Students Through High-Dosage Tutoring

During the 2025–26 school year, Catapult Learning partnered with Massachusetts districts to provide literacy tutoring to hundreds of students through DESE-supported initiatives. Additional outcome data from participating districts will be added as programs conclude.

Catapult Learning has a long history of helping Massachusetts students build foundational literacy skills through evidence-based tutoring. Our High-Dosage Tutoring model delivers small-group instruction multiple times per week, grounded in the Science of Reading and designed to build the strong tutor-student relationships that support long-term academic growth. Click the button below to see how evidence-based tutoring has helped students accelerate learning, strengthen literacy outcomes, and build confidence as readers.

VIEW A MASSACHUSETTS SUCCESS STORY

Resources for District Leaders

Partner Video

Hear from one of our professional development partners on the real impact of partnering with Catapult Learning. From stronger instructional practices to measurable gains in student achievement, this story shows how the right support makes all the difference.
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Virtual Information Session

Get a firsthand look at how our High-Dosage Tutoring program works. From implementation to instruction. In this recorded session, our program leaders walk through the model, key components, and the impact it’s having on student achievement
Watch video

FAQs

Our High-Dosage Tutoring (HDT) model provides small-group instruction, serving up to four students per group, multiple times per week during the school day. Sessions are 20–45 minutes and can be delivered in-person, virtually, or through a hybrid approach. Each session is led by a trained tutor and grounded in evidence-based practices for literacy and math. This structured, consistent approach ensures students receive targeted support that accelerates learning and improves literacy outcomes.

All of our tutors hold at least a four-year degree, with many bringing advanced degrees and teaching credentials to their roles. But what truly distinguishes Catapult Learning is our comprehensive approach to tutor training, support, and quality assurance. Before entering the classroom, each tutor completes up to 40 hours of pre-service training focused on our proven High-Dosage Tutoring model. This includes in-depth preparation on curriculum, instructional strategies, and compliance expectations.

Once tutoring begins, our tutors receive ongoing support through more than five formal observations, accompanied by real-time coaching and feedback. In addition, we provide continuous professional development to ensure instructional excellence and drive meaningful student outcomes.

Each student begins with a diagnostic assessment that identifies individual skill gaps and priority learning areas. This data is used to create customized learning plans and to group students according to similar needs, allowing for highly targeted instruction.  Throughout the lesson, our tutors ensures that students understand the learning objective, spend time actively manipulating the academic content of the lesson, and engages in work that leads to high rates of independent student success.  To ensure progress, tutors use formative assessments to adjust instruction in real time and interim assessments to track growth, update learning plans, and measure progress against defined goals. This continuous feedback loop ensures that instruction remains responsive and effective.

We offer turnkey implementation to make it easy for schools and districts to get started. Catapult Learning handles every aspect of the program- from tutor recruitment, training, and ongoing coaching to providing curriculum, student materials, and progress reporting. Our end-to-end support ensures a seamless launch and consistent program quality with minimal lift required from school staff.

Yes. Catapult specializes in in-school tutoring models designed to minimize disruption to instruction.

Yes. Catapult Learning is an approved DESE tutoring provider in Massachusetts.

June 23, 2026.

DESE anticipates provider match notifications during August 10–14, 2026.

No. Funding remains subject to availability and final state budget approval.

Have Questions About DESE Tutoring Funding?

Our Massachusetts team can help you understand the opportunity, discuss implementation considerations, and prepare for successful tutoring program launch.