Feds award Virginia $30 million over five years to bolster reading instruction

The Virginia Department of Education has been awarded a $30 million Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) grant by the U.S. Department of Education to extend and expand literacy efforts for schools and student groups identified with the most need. 

“This grant will help deepen literacy opportunities for all students especially those students who need the most support,” said Superintendent of Public Instruction Lisa Coons. “The Department will provide focused supports as educators work to improve literacy instruction for our English learners and students with disabilities.”

The five-year, $30 million grant will aid the VDOE in increasing supports for traditionally underserved students, with a focus on English Learners and students with disabilities. Virginia serves 1.26 million students in Grades K-12 throughout 131 school divisions, and nearly half of all students are economically disadvantaged (43.5%); 14.1% qualify for special education services; and 14.3% are English learners.

VDOE has proposed a five-year intensive effort to improve literacy outcomes for students statewide. Its strategy is centered on schools identified by the new School Performance and Support Framework. VDOE will provide technical assistance and resources to promote coherent, evidence-based literacy instruction in the schools that need the most support. 

Schools will receive high-quality instructional materials and high-quality professional learning for students, participate in Literacy Improvement Networks that provide professional learning and receive technical assistance on evidence-based literacy practices. Identified schools with Kindergarten classes will collaborate with Pre-K programs to support increases in Kindergarten readiness and receive targeted resources to advance early literacy skills. Schools that are identified to have the greatest need for their English learners and students with disabilities will receive additional resources to identify causes for achievement gaps and craft action plans.

Through this grant, divisions will receive support to create the conditions for literacy innovations to take hold and lead to improved student outcomes in identified schools. Divisions can use the lessons learned and resources developed through the grant to positively impact all schools within its division. 

The CLSD grant will enable VDOE to build upon the foundations laid by the Virginia Literacy Act (VLA) with a comprehensive and coherent literacy strategy from early childhood through grade 12. In 2022, the General Assembly passed the VLA and established core elements of high-quality, science-based literary instruction.

With its intense focus on providing science-based literacy instruction in its earliest grades, VDOE says it “is poised to be a national leader in improving literacy outcomes and ensuring that all Virginia students have a strong, coherent literacy education tailored toward their needs and led by a content-strong, effective teacher. “