Awards will support school district development of local literacy plans aligned to Iowa’s statewide Comprehensive State Literacy Plan
Gov. Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Department of Education today announced over $24 million in competitive subgrants to support Iowa school districts and public charter schools in developing and implementing plans to improve student reading proficiency. The awards are part of a multi-year federal Comprehensive Literacy State Development grant awarded to the Iowa Department of Education by the U.S. Department of Education to advance effective evidence-based literacy practices and interventions across the state.
“Strong reading skills are the foundation for lifelong learning and opportunity,” Gov. Reynolds said. “These targeted investments will help schools ensure every child in Iowa can read confidently and succeed academically—no matter their background or where they live. By implementing proven approaches, we can better help students learn to read so they can spend a lifetime reading to learn.”
A total of $24 million, which includes $4 million in planning subgrants and the opportunity for an additional $5 million annually in implementation subgrants over four years, 2025 through 2029, is available. The deadline to apply for the planning subgrant portion is 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, June 10.
“Reading unlocks a lifetime of potential—that’s why Iowa continues to empower students, families and teachers through comprehensive advancements in early literacy,” said Iowa Department of Education Director McKenzie Snow. “Nationally, the Department was selected to receive over $24 million in competitive federal funds to support Iowa’s rigorous academic standards, instructional materials, and educator preparation and learning. Today, we’re inviting eligible school districts across Iowa to apply for a transformational investment, building upon our collective work to further accelerate student learning.”
Successful applicants must meet all required eligibility criteria based on the population to be served, including:
- Total student enrollment with at least 50% at elementary and middle schools or 40% at high schools from low-income backgrounds;
- Partnership commitments with one or more early childhood education programs serving children from low-income backgrounds (for plans serving grades K-5);
- Total student enrollment with less than 70% of students proficient in literacy or English language arts; and
- Achievement gaps in reading performance between overall student results and those of certain student groups, including children from low-income backgrounds, children with disabilities and children who are English learners.
The subgrant application for the planning portion is now open for Iowa school districts and public charter schools to access through the Department’s Consolidated Accountability and Support Application (CASA) system, which schools use to report information to the Department.
The amount awarded to each successful applicant for the initial planning subgrant will vary based on the number of applications received and the details outlined in each respective applicant’s plan. Awardees of the planning subgrant must demonstrate completion of the subgrant expectations before applying for subsequent implementation subgrants.
In determining awards, priority will be given to competitive district and charter school applicants that align local literacy plans to Iowa’s Comprehensive State Literacy Plan with a focus on improving literacy outcomes for all children and meeting the needs of children who are reading below grade level. Additional consideration will be given to representation of small, medium and large districts across all nine of Iowa’s geographic AEA and superintendent regions.
Awarded districts and public charter schools can use year one planning funding to support costs associated with hiring a literacy consultant, providing professional development on the Science of Reading for Literacy Leadership Team members and attending evidence-based professional learning events in partnership with the Department.
The Comprehensive Literacy State Development program is authorized under Sections 2221-2225 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as amended (ESEA). The purpose of the discretionary grants is to create a comprehensive literacy program to advance literacy skills, including pre-literacy skills, reading and writing, for children from birth through grade 12.
Information on the Iowa’s Comprehensive Literacy State Development Grant and competitive subgrant opportunity, including an informational webinar for interested applicants, is available on the Department’s website.