§6642 Comprehensive Literacy State Development Grants

Summary

The federal education secretary gives competitive grants to state education agencies to improve reading and writing for children from birth through grade 12, including English learners and children with disabilities. States must use the money to make subgrants to many kinds of local groups, with priority for places serving more low-income children. From the overall money, the secretary will set aside no more than 5 percent for national work (like evaluation and help), one half of 1 percent for the Bureau of Indian Education, and one half of 1 percent for U.S. outlying areas. Grants last up to 5 years and can be renewed for 2 more years if the state shows good progress and needs more time. To get a grant, a state must apply and work with its early childhood and child care agencies. The application must include a needs check of literacy across the state and high-need schools, a plan to create or update a statewide literacy plan, and an implementation plan. States must promise how they will use funds: at least 15 percent for birth through kindergarten entry, at least 40 percent for kindergarten through grade 5, and at least 40 percent for grades 6–12. The state must give priority to evidence-based activities and to local groups that serve children from families at or below 200 percent of the Federal poverty line or serve many high-need schools. At least 95 percent of a state grant must go to local subgrants; up to 5 percent can be kept for technical help, training, higher-education work, licensure reviews, sharing best practices, and managing or evaluating the program.