Dinniman Announces $1.45 Million in Funding for Literacy Program

The following is a press release from State Senator Andy Dinniman.

State Senator Andy Dinniman today announced that the Pennsylvania Department of Education has awarded $1 million to the Coatesville Area School District and $453,596 to the West Chester Area School District for literacy initiatives and programs.

The funds come through the Commonwealth’s Keystones to Opportunity (KtO) grant program and are made possible through Pennsylvania’s receipt of $38 million  from the  federal Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy Program.

“Helping children become good readers and writers is crucial to getting them on the right path in school, work and life,” Dinniman said. “These funds will increase access to strong literacy instruction through innovative approaches by providing school districts the flexibility they need to identify the literacy programs best suited to meet their students needs.”

Dinniman added that Pennsylvania was fortunate to be selected for the groundbreaking program. Never before have grants been awarded by the U.S. Department of Education for literacy projects aimed at comprehensive state programs that encompass such a broad age range.

Pennsylvania was one of only six states (among 35 applicants) to receive  funding through the program, which helps states pursue a comprehensive approach to improving literacy outcomes for all children – birth through grade 12, including limited-English-proficient students and students with disabilities. 

Funds will support programs that advance literacy skills through professional development, screening and assessment, targeted interventions for students reading below grade level and other research-based methods of improving classroom instruction and practice.