South Carolina Receives $13.6 Million Reading First Grant“So
The U.S. Department of Education has announced that South Carolina will receive more than $13 million for the first year of a multi-year Reading First grant to help schools and districts improve children’s reading achievement through scientifically proven methods of instruction.
The state’s application passed a review panel that judged the plan against 25 main review criteria. Over six years, South Carolina will receive approximately $88.6 million in support, subject to the state’s successful implementation and congressional appropriations.
The grant will support key improvements in classroom reading instruction, including teaching based on what research shows works, early identification and help for reading difficulties, monitoring student progress, and continuous, high-quality professional development for teachers. States will create a statewide infrastructure to steer reform and help school districts that will receive funding under a state-run competition for district subgrants.
South Carolina plans to hold a competition for eligible school districts to compete for subgrants this spring, with the state planning to support some 36 schools in those districts. As part of its professional development plan, the state will hold a series of six workshops for all K-3 teachers and K-12 special education teachers. These professional development sessions will provide intensive training on classroom reading instruction based on scientific research, so that teachers learn to tailor instruction around sound, research-based information.
