Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick this week signed legislation that will advance his goal of ensuring every child learns to read proficiently by the end of third grade. The new law, which won bipartisan support, sets up an expert literacy panel that will advise the state Departments of Early Education and Care, Elementary and Secondary Education, and Higher Education. The goal is to coordinate current efforts, add new initiatives and leverage federal grants and private money to support literacy in the birth-to-third frame.

“We know that a child who can read by third grade has a better chance to succeed in his or her adult life,” Patrick said at the bill signing Wednesday. “With this legislation, we will develop a plan for students and teachers to achieve that goal, and thereby provide the best chance for our children to succeed in the 21st century global economy.”