Virginia Dept. of Education awarded $30M grant to enhance literacy outcomes

FILE – Desks fill a classroom in a high school in Pennsylvania on Wednesday, May 3, 2023. Gaps between how minority students perform academically in comparison to their white peers have long been an issue across the country. The disparities often stem from larger structural issues — a lack of access to quality curricula, for instance, or teachers expecting students to perform poorly. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

by: Kevin Cheek

Posted: Sep 25, 2024 / 03:46 PM EDT

Updated: Sep 25, 2024 / 03:46 PM EDT

RICHMOND, Va. (WAVY) — The U.S. Department of Education has awarded a $30 million grant to the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE).

According to VDOE, the five-year Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) grant is aimed at increasing support for traditionally underserved students and will specifically focus on English Learners and students with disabilities.

“This grant will help deepen literacy opportunities for all students especially those students who need the most support,” said Superintendent of Public Instruction Lisa Coons. “The Department will provide focused supports as educators work to improve literacy instruction for our English learners and students with disabilities.”

The commonwealth serves a population of 1.26 million K-12 students, and nearly half of them are economically disadvantaged. According to VDOE, 14.1% of the students qualify for special education services and 14.3% are English learners.

All 131 school divisions in the state will receive support to improve student outcomes in identified schools in each respective division.