The U.S. Department of Education recently announced $179 million in grants focused on supporting academic acceleration for every child, including $14,766,038 awarded to the New Jersey Department of Education in the form of a Comprehensive Literacy State Development grant, according to a news release.
Over the next five years, however, the New Jersey Department of Education will receive $50 million from the USDOE, it announced.
In total, $149 million of the $179 million the USDOE is awarding is via new Comprehensive Literacy State Development Grant awards — the largest number of awards ever for this program. The remaining $30 million is being awarded in Competitive Grants for State Assessments awards.
This grant will support the development and implementation of evidence-based literacy programs to ensure students achieve key literacy milestones, such as reading on grade level by third grade – a critical predictor of future academic success, the NJDOE stated.
The grant will also help promote equitable access to high-quality literacy instruction to close opportunity and achievement gaps for historically underserved student groups, establish an NJDOE advisory council devoted to developing and implementing a comprehensive state literacy plan, implement a statewide coaching network and provide subgrants to high-need local education agencies for professional learning aligned with evidence-based reading instruction.
“New Jersey has always been a leader in education, and this $50 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education is a powerful affirmation of our commitment to excellence,” said Gov. Phil Murphy. “The grant will further our critical investment in the future of our students and our state. By enhancing literacy programs and providing equitable access to high-quality education, we are not only helping our children reach key academic milestones but also setting them up for lifelong success.”
“We are thrilled to receive this significant funding to enhance literacy initiatives across New Jersey,” said Acting Commissioner of Education Kevin Dehmer. “This grant represents a tremendous opportunity for us to deepen our commitment to ensuring every student, regardless of their background or circumstances, has access to the resources they need to become strong, confident readers. Literacy is the foundation of all learning, and by strengthening literacy education across our state, we are laying the groundwork for lifelong academic success. I thank the Biden-Harris Administration for this funding that will enable us to provide targeted support to schools, districts, and communities, by helping educators deliver high-quality instruction, while also addressing the unique needs of students who may be struggling.”
“This investment by the U.S. Department of Education in foundational literacy initiatives will help to ensure every child in New Jersey has an effective, quality education from day one that pushes them to achieve their academic and economic potential,” said Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz. “This funding will bolster the efforts of my bills that established the Working Group on Student Literacy to develop evidence-based literacy strategies and screenings and will empower the Office of Learning Equity and Academic Recovery to ensure that every New Jersey school is equipped with the necessary resources for student growth and achievement. The best investment we can make is in our children, and I thank the Biden-Harris Administration for their commitment to enhancing student success.”
This is the first time the USDOE is making awards in the Comprehensive Literacy State Development program under the Biden-Harris Administration, and this is the largest number of grant awards ever made under the program. The NJDOE noted that it received the largest CLSD grant.
These new grants will support states and educational partners in developing and implementing evidence-based literacy interventions and supports to help students achieve key literacy milestones. They also will help states, school districts, and communities promote equitable access to high-quality literacy instruction and materials for every student. Many states receiving these new awards will partner with state institutions of higher education to provide districts, schools, and early care and education programs with intensive and targeted support for evidence-based literacy instruction.
Additional Resources
In addition to historic funding for literacy and state assessments, the USDOE issued additional guidance and resources on how schools and communities can continue providing academic enrichment opportunities and reengage students to fight chronic absenteeism. It noted the publication of guidance for the 21st Century Community Learning Center Program to help out-of-school time providers have the biggest possible impact on the over 1 million students who participate in the 21st CCLC. This guidance will help providers craft out-of-school-time programming that supports academic recovery and acceleration.
In addition, the USDOE is releasing a new resource on how Full-Service Community Schools fight chronic absenteeism. This resource builds on the continued engagement and support the USDOE has provided, including supporting over 40 states through the Student Engagement and Attendance Center and supporting nearly 200
districts through the Attendance Solutions Network. The resource shares information on how district leaders can leverage community schools as a strategy to reduce chronic absenteeism.
Read the full release from the USDOE, which includes a more detailed breakdown on which other states beyond New Jersey received grants.