§6642 Comprehensive Literacy State Development Grants

Summary

The federal government gives competitive grants to state education agencies to improve reading and writing from early childhood through grade 12. States must use the money to make subgrants to programs in different places, with priority for programs that serve larger numbers or shares of low-income children. States must also create or strengthen a statewide literacy plan that covers high-quality reading and writing instruction, including for English learners and children with disabilities. Each fiscal year up to 5 percent of funds may be kept for national activities, 0.5 percent for the Bureau of Indian Education program, and 0.5 percent for outlying areas. Grants last up to 5 years and can be extended for 2 more years if the state shows good progress and still needs the 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 assessment, a plan to develop or update the State comprehensive literacy plan, and an implementation plan. States must spend at least 95 percent of the grant on subgrants. Of the subgrant funds, at least 15 percent must go to birth through kindergarten entry, at least 40 percent to kindergarten through grade 5, and at least 40 percent to grades 6–12. States must give subgrant priority to programs that serve children from birth through age 5 in families at or below 200 percent of the Federal poverty line or to local school districts with many high-need schools. The state may keep up to 5 percent for things like technical help, working with colleges to improve teacher training, updating literacy licensure rules, sharing promising practices, and managing subgrants. Any leftover money may be used to train literacy coaches or for administration and evaluation. States that use evidence-based activities (as defined in section 7801(21)(A)(i)) get priority.