Georgia has been awarded a $25. 6 million grant in a first-ever program aimed at helping states pursue a comprehensive approach to improving literacy outcomes for children from birth to 12th grade.
Thirty-five states applied for grants from the U.S. Department of Education, and six -- including Georgia -- were selected and are claiming a collective $180 million.
Winning states will hold competitions to award 95 percent of their funds as "sub-grants" to local school districts and early learning providers.
The Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy Program requires award-winning states to use at least 15 percent of their grant funds to serve children from birth through age 5, while 40 percent must go toward supporting students in grades K-5, 20 percent for middle schools and 20 percent to high schools. The remaining 5 percent can be set aside for state administration.
"Supporting children’s reading skills can help students build a lifelong love of learning,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan.
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