The Georgia Department of Education has been awarded nearly $180 million to support literacy efforts in the state’s K-12 public schools through the federal Comprehensive Literacy State Development Grant.
Governor Brian Kemp making the announcement today.
Georgia will receive the money over a five-year span to continue the Literacy for Learning, Living and Leading in Georgia (L4GA) initiative, which aims to improve literacy outcomes for students from birth through 12th grade.
State School Superintendent Richard Woods introduced the program in 2016.
“Reading is an essential part of all other educational attainment; literacy is the key that unlocks the door to a lifetime of learning,” State School Superintendent Richard Woods said. “Being awarded nearly $180 million through a competitive federal grant process shows that Georgia’s literacy efforts are viewed as strong, sustainable, and worthy of investment. The students of our state deserve no less.”
While Ninety-five percent of Georgia’s award will be competitively awarded to local school districts and their community partners, the sub-awards will also take into account the poverty level in a community, the percentage of students reading below grade level, and other factors.