Who May Apply: (specifically)

Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy (SRCL) Formula grants for State Literacy Teams (84.371B) will be awarded to State Educational Agencies (SEAs). The award amount is based on each State’s relative share of funds under Part A of Title I of the ESEA for fiscal year 2009 (excluding funds awarded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009), except that no State shall receive less than $150,000.

With the funds, States are expected to create a comprehensive State Literacy Plan with the assistance of a State Literacy Team comprised of literacy experts with expertise in literacy development and education for children from birth to grade 12 and other stakeholders.

Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy (SRCL) discretionary grants (84.371C) will be awarded competitively to State Educational Agencies (SEAs).

SEAs must then subgrant at least 95% of the funds to Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) and early childhood providers (specifically, LEAs or other nonprofit providers of early childhood education that partner with a public or private nonprofit organization or agency with a demonstrated record of effectiveness in improving the early literacy development of children from birth through kindergarten entry and in providing professional development in early literacy).

Subgrantees must serve high-need children and youths, limited-English-proficient students, and students with disabilities with effective literacy instruction. Activities should have the characteristics of an effective literacy program such as professional development, screening and assessment, targeted interventions for students reading below grade level, and other research-based methods of improving classroom instruction and practice.

At least 15% of the subgranted funds must be used to serve children from birth to age 5, at least 40% must be used to serve students in kindergarten through grade 5, and at least 40% must be used to serve students in middle and high school with an equitable distribution of funds between middle and high schools. SEAs may use 5% or less for state leadership activities such as technical assistance and training, data collection, reporting, and administration.