More than 550 Districts Announced as Awardees of Grants for Early Literacy Materials

Michigan Department of Education Urges Legislators to Provide More Funding to Improve Student Reading Skills

LANSING — Children in 561 local and intermediate school districts in the state will benefit from a total of $87 million awarded to improve student literacy.

The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) today announced the districts to which it is awarding the literacy funding.

The districts are receiving funding for high-quality, whole classroom literacy materials, literacy interventions, or literacy professional development selected from a menu of resources approved by the Michigan Department of Education (MDE). 

“I applaud these districts for recognizing how critically important researched-based materials, interventions, and professional development are to improving student literacy achievement,” said State Superintendent Dr. Michael F. Rice. “The large number of applications shows the demand for these materials and indicates the need for more funding to improve early literacy. I appreciate support from the state legislature in the fiscal year 2025 budget and call on the legislature to double this appropriation in fiscal year 2026.”

The funding under Section 35m of the state School Aid Act is a key element to implementation of Public Act 146 of 2024, generational reading legislation passed by the state legislature and signed into law by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer last fall.

As part of the state School Aid Act budget for fiscal year 2025, the state legislature provided local and intermediate school districts with formula-grant funding to select high-quality literacy materials and resources from a rankings list based on the materials’ demonstrated history of increasing student outcomes, as recommended by the Committee for Literacy Achievement. The committee included representatives of higher education, early childhood literacy educators, practicing educators and administrators, and literacy and program evaluation experts.   

The three categories of awards are: Early Literacy Tier 1 Materials, Early Literacy Interventions, and Professional Development.

“We extend our gratitude to the Michigan Department of Education for spearheading initiatives aimed at enhancing literacy instruction and achievement throughout Michigan,” said Superintendent Dr. Darrin Slade of Kalamazoo Public Schools (KPS), which is being awarded $1,121,551 in funding for early literacy materials. “At Kalamazoo Public Schools, we value the opportunity to elevate our teachers' skills and knowledge in literacy implementation. We eagerly anticipate the continued growth in literacy for all KPS students and the positive impact they will have on the Kalamazoo community as a whole.”

Garden City Public Schools in Wayne County is receiving $7,856 in funds for professional development.

"Garden City Public Schools is thrilled to have been awarded the 35m grant,” said Superintendent Mr. Derek Fisher. “We look forward to using these grant dollars to provide additional and valuable professional development opportunities to our elementary instructional staff with a focus on the Science of Reading. The district remains committed to uplifting early literacy and the 35m grant provides funding for valuable professional learning for our staff."

Swan Valley School District in Saginaw County is being awarded $5,104 in professional development funds.

“While Michigan districts already receive Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS) funding through a separate state appropriation, the 35m grant gives Swan Valley School District additional support to expand upon that training. It allows us to follow through on our strategic plan by investing in high-quality professional learning and extending the training beyond elementary school educators to include offering this professional learning to teachers for grades 7–12. We know that when we invest in our educators, we’re investing in better outcomes for our students—and this funding helps make that possible,” said Superintendent Dr. Alison Cicinelli. "Professional learning is one of the most effective ways to drive strategic change, and by deepening our educators’ knowledge of the science of reading, we are directly improving early literacy instruction and outcomes for our students.”

Among many elements, the new literacy/dyslexia law will require the department to create lists of benchmark assessments and screeners from which districts must choose. Districts will screen all students grades K-3 three times a year for characteristics of dyslexia and on an as-needed basis for students in grades 4-12. Districts will be required to use research-based interventions for those students found to have characteristics of dyslexia. The department will also develop research-based lists of Tier 1 materials, interventions, and professional development, as well as a coaching model for literacy coaches.

Additional funding would allow districts to apply for their first Section 35m grant, or for current applicants to apply again for another Section 35m category. For example, if a district was awarded funding to select materials from the Section 35m Tier 1 Early Literacy Materials and Series Rankings List, it could apply again for intervention materials, which would allow them to continue to build their research-based literacy program.

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