NEWS RELEASE: PED awarded $60M federal grant to improve literacy outcomes
For Immediate Release
Contact: Janelle Taylor García, Ph.D.
Director of Communications
New Mexico Public Education Department
505-709-5543
janelle.garcia@ped.nm.gov
September 9, 2024
PED awarded $60M federal grant to improve literacy outcomes
SANTA FE, NM — The New Mexico Public Education Department (PED) announced today that it will receive nearly $60 million in federal grant funds over the next five years to develop and implement evidence-based literacy interventions and supports to help students achieve key literacy milestones.
The funding will be allocated annually at $11.99 million per year, contingent upon appropriations from Congress and substantial progress of the PED toward performance targets outlined in the grant application.
The funds were awarded through the U.S. Department of Education’s Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) Grant.
"This vital funding will enable us to enhance the literacy efforts we have been implementing across the state, reach more learners and provide the resources necessary to foster a lifelong love of reading and learning,” said PED Deputy Secretary Candice Castillo.
The PED, in collaboration with the Early Childhood Education and Care Department and the Department of Higher Education, will use grant funds to improve the preliteracy skills of children under age five and increase the percentage of elementary, middle and high school students who meet the state’s language and literacy proficiency standards.
The PED will distribute 95 percent of grant funds to district and regional education cooperative (REC) subgrantees for local infrastructure supports, materials, coaching and other activities to improve literacy outcomes of the most disadvantaged children in the state.
RECs will be eligible to apply for CLSD funding as a subgrantee to allow smaller districts and those in rural areas to participate even if they do not have the capacity to apply for a subgrant on their own. This approach will promote equity in access to educational resources and opportunities by eliminating a capacity barrier for districts who have a large percentage of the state’s disadvantaged children.
The remaining five percent of grant funds will support salary and benefits for three full-time employees to monitor the progress of subgrantees and support the implementation of subgrantees’ literacy plans.
Students reading on grade level by third grade is critical to their future academic success. To advance effective, evidence-based literacy practices, the U.S. Department of Education is awarding more than $149 million in new awards to 23 state educational agencies through the CLSD program.
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The New Mexico Public Education Department partners with educators, communities and families to ensure that all students are healthy, secure in their identity and holistically prepared for college, career and life. Currently, NMPED serves about 320,000 students in 189 districts and charter schools. Find an abundance of resources for administrators, educators, families and students at New Mexico Public Education Department (state.nm.us) or follow the NMPED on Facebook and Instagram .
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