Maryland Comprehensive PreK-3 Literacy Policy

The Student Reading Improvement Plan (SRIP)

Starting in the 2025-2026 school year, Maryland rolled out a new literacy policy to help all children become strong readers by the end of 3rd grade. Teachers will use research-based methods, called the Science of Reading, to build skills like phonics, vocabulary, and reading comprehension.

For children struggling with reading, families will be notified in clear, easy-to-understand language, and invited to help create a personalized reading improvement plan. The goal is to catch reading challenges early—and give every child the support they need to succeed.

These changes will grow over the next few years, with full reading support and promotion plans in place by the 2027–2028 school year.

What This Policy Is About

Maryland is working to make sure all children can read well by the end of 3rd grade. This new literacy plan focuses on improving how reading is taught in schools starting in Pre-K through 3rd grade using research-based methods known as the Science of Reading.

Why It Matters

Learning to read is one of the most important skills your child will develop, and research shows that strong reading instruction in the early years makes all the difference. The Maryland Ready to Read Act and Maryland Comprehensive Literacy Policy ensure that your child receives proven, effective reading instruction based on the science of how children learn to read. This means your child will build a solid foundation in essential skills like phonics, vocabulary, and comprehension—skills that will help them succeed not just in reading, but in every subject throughout their school years and beyond. When children become competent and confident readers by third grade, they're better prepared, setting them up for long-term academic success and a lifelong love of reading.

What Will Be Different In Classrooms

• Teachers will be trained in new, proven ways to teach reading.
• Reading programs will include key skills like:
  • Sound awareness
  • Phonics
  • Fluency
  • Comprehension

How Student Progress Will Be Checked

• All students will take universal reading screeners three times per year (fall, winter, spring).
• If a child shows signs of struggling, they will:
  • Get extra help (intervention)
  • Receive a personal reading improvement plan (called a SRIP)
  • Parents will be informed in clear, easy-to-understand language.

Parent Involvement

• Parents/Caregivers will receive a letter if your child is struggling with reading.
• Parents/Caregivers will be invited to help create a plan to support your child.

When Will This Happen

• Initial teacher training start: 2024–2025 school year
• Parent notification plans in place: 2026–2027
• Reading-based promotion process begins: 2027–2028