The Iowa Department of Education has awarded more than $24 million in multi-year federal grants to support the statewide Comprehensive Literacy Initiative

Iowa (KWQC) – Governor Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Department of Education announced that they have received a multi-year, competitive grant from the U.S. Department of Education totaling more than $24 million to support effective, evidence-based literacy practices and interventions across condition, according to a media release.

“Reading is a critical skill that helps students succeed in school and beyond,” said Governor Reynolds. “Iowa is prioritizing early literacy in classrooms across the state and promoting teacher-parent partnerships, which are critical to helping children become excellent readers. We will continue to support students in learning to read using proven methods so they can spend a lifetime reading and learning.”

The Iowa Department of Education grant builds on recent legislation supported by Governor Reynolds to support personalized reading plans for K-12 students who are not proficient readers, as well as legislation adapting reading preparation programs for credentialed teachers that focus on phonics awareness , phonics, vocabulary, fluency and text comprehension – we read in the press release.

“Reading unlocks lifelong potential — that’s why Iowa empowers students, families and teachers to make comprehensive progress in early literacy, including world-class state content standards, statewide professional learning for teachers, and personalized reading tutoring,” said the director of the Department of Education of Iowa McKenzie Snow. “This federal investment recognizes and helps advance our critical work together to accelerate student learning through evidence-based reading instruction.”

According to the release, the federal Comprehensive Literacy Development Grant will support the implementation of Iowa’s statewide literacy plan over the next five years, including the development of local literacy plans in districts aligned with the statewide plan.

Under the grant, the Department will support schools in implementing reading-specific instruction, including through continuing professional education, school-based literacy leadership teams, high-quality, standards-aligned instructional materials, strong community and family partnerships, and media messaging, tutoring and targeted interventions based on student data.

The department will also work closely with higher education institutions to align credentialed teacher preparation programs in reading sciences while continuing to support schools implementing LETRS® evidence-based professional learning for teachers, the news release said.

According to a media release, the Iowa Department of Education grant will focus on improving literacy outcomes for all children and meeting the needs of children reading below grade level and students who need differentiated instruction.

The purpose of the discretionary grants is to create a comprehensive literacy program designed to improve literacy, including pre-literacy and literacy skills, for children from birth through grade 12, with a focus on children living in poverty. children with disabilities and children learning English, the press release said.