Early Literacy Grant

History and Purpose

In 2012, the Colorado READ Act established an Early Literacy Grant Program. This is a comprehensive grant program focused on system-wide early literacy efforts. In 2018, House Bill 18-1393, revised READ Act to expand Early Literacy Grants to include two additional grant programs - Sustainability Grants for those completing a Comprehensive Early Literacy Grant and an Annual Literacy Professional Development Grant.

Rules for the Administration of the Early Literacy Grant (effective 11-30-18)

Comprehensive Early Literacy Grant Program

Established in 2012, the Comprehensive Early Literacy Grant (ELG) Program is a comprehensive approach to improving early literacy, focused on implementing and sustaining scientifically and evidence-based reading instruction. The Comprehensive Early Literacy Grant Program is designed to distribute funds to local education providers, including school districts, BOCES, and district charter schools or Institute Charter Schools, to ensure the essential components of reading instruction are embedded into all elements of the primary, K-3 teaching structures in all schools, including universal and targeted and intensive instructional interventions, to assist all students in achieving reading competency.

Through the Comprehensive Early Literacy Grant Program, the Colorado Department of Education:

Assists grantees in establishing instructional systems based on Scientifically Based Reading Research to improve the quality of reading instruction for all K – 3 students.
Help schools implement a multi-tiered support system to reduce the number of students reading below grade level.
Provides professional development to principals, teachers and intervention teachers on effective instructional practices and the underlying teaching infrastructures to improve reading achievement among K – 3 students.
Assists grantees in administering and interpreting approved interim and diagnostic assessments pursuant to the READ Act.
Supports implementation of school-wide literacy programs as well as programs designed for targeted and intensive instructional interventions.
Assists grantees with testing schedules and interpreting assessment data.

Timeline: Comprehensive Early Literacy Grant Program

Comprehensive Early Literacy Grant Program was established in 2012.

Cohort 1: 2013 - 2016

Launched consisting of 30 schools from 15 districts in 7/8 regions of the state.

Early Literacy Grant Awardees Cohort 1 (PDF)

Cohort 2: 2016 - 2019

Launched consisting of 21 schools from 14 districts in 6/8 regions of the state.

Early Literacy Grant Awardees Cohort 2 (PDF)

Cohort 3: 2017 - 2020

Launched consisting of 11 schools from 6 districts in 5/8 regions of the state.

Early Literacy Grant Awardees Cohort 3 (PDF)

Cohort 4: Spring 2019 - 2022

Launched consisting of 30 schools from 19 districts in 7/8 regions of the state.

Early Literacy Grant Awardees Cohort 4 (PDF)

Sustainability Grant

This Request for Proposal (RFP) will be opened in the final year of the Comprehensive Early Literacy Grant cycle. It is designed to distribute funds to assist local education providers in sustainability planning after their receipt of a Comprehensive Early Literacy Grant. Eligibility for the Sustainability Grant is limited to those local education providers which are in the last year of funding for with a Comprehensive Early Literacy Grant.

Annual Literacy Professional Development Grant Program

House Bill 18-1393, revised READ Act, authorized the Early Literacy Grant Annual Professional Development (ELG PD) Program. This grant opportunity is geared to support Colorado educators in the implementation of scientifically and evidence-based reading programming and strategies for K-3 students. An effort championed by the State Board of Education, these funds are specifically intended for early literacy professional development for elementary educators.