June 3, 2019

Montana Applies for 5-year, $50 million Literacy Grant

HELENA— The Montana Office of Public Instruction has applied for a 5-year, $50 million literacy grant through the U.S. Department of Education’s Comprehensive Literacy State Development Program. If Montana’s application is successful, the grant will provide schools with additional resources to address literacy through competitive sub-grants beginning in the 2019-2020 school year.

Montana’s application highlights using evidence-based practices, strategies, and interventions to advance literacy skills, especially for disadvantaged children. In 2017, the OPI successfully applied for a 3-year, $24 million federal literacy grant. In its application for the new grant, the OPI added additional attention to kindergarten transitions, connections to post-secondary education through teacher preparation programs, and family engagement. Middle school will be emphasized as a crucial transition period for students.

The OPI expects to be notified in August whether Montana’s application has been successful. Literacy, especially digital literacy, has been a strong focus of State Superintendent Elsie Arntzen’s “Montana Learn” initiative to improve academic outcomes for Montana students and close achievement gaps within student groups.

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CONTACT:   Dylan Klapmeier

                       Director of Communications, Montana Office of Public Instruction

                       dylan.klapmeier@mt.gov

                       406-444-3559