CLSD Requirements

Required Funding Formula

As required by the federal guidelines of the CLSD program, CDE is required to distribute a minimum of 95% of
awarded funds to subgrants (districts/LEAs).

These subgrant funds must be used and activities carried out according to the following funding distribution:

Birth-5 years: No less than 15% of funds
Kindergarten-5th grade: No less than 40% of funds
6th-12th grade: No less than 40% of funds

The remaining 5% may be used for administrative or indirect costs. Alternatively, if the subgrantee chooses not to allocate any funds for these costs, this 5% can be distributed among the age and grade bands as desired.

Allowable Activities - Original 4-Year Cohort

DISTRICT-WIDE ACTIVITIES:

Consulting support on developing a Comprehensive Local Literacy Plan (CLLP) or update an existing plan.
Plans must be aligned with the Statewide Literacy Plan (SLP) and be rooted in evidence-based high-impact strategies across the different age and grade bands birth through grade 12.
Evaluation of existing structures, practices, and instructional materials across birth through grade 12 to ensure they are evidence-based, including how closely they align with the science of reading.
Non-instructional staff positions that help build the capacity of the district to implement effective evidence-based literacy instruction. (Example: Literacy or Program Manager, District-wide intervention/instructional coach, etc. Direct instruction staff is non-allowable.)
Establishing and/or expanding district-wide parent and family engagement efforts (CDE FSCP Framework).
Sustainability planning beyond grant funding.
Limited travel associated with carrying out CLSD project activities or attending CLSD funded/approved professional development. (i.e., mileage at the current rate, per diem, hotel).

BIRTH-5 YEARS OLD ACTIVITIES (15%)

Professional development in the science of language development and reading for early education providers and administrators.
Collaboration with K-12 Feeder system and participation in the LSLLT.
Parent, family, caregiver, and community partner engagement activities (Example: Growing Readers).
Support expansion of early reading risk identification (i.e., dyslexia, speech disorders, auditory processing, autism, sensory, other disabilities that affect reading, speaking, and writing development, social factors).

KINDERGARTEN-5th GRADE ACTIVITIES (40%) and 6TH-12TH GRADE ACTIVITIES (40%)

Professional development for teachers and administrators in the science of reading, writing, language development, supporting English learners, supporting struggling readers, supporting students with dyslexia, etc. Participation in Communities of Practice rooted in evidence-based practices with other CLSD
participating schools can be included.
Curriculum, instructional supports, and classroom materials aligned with evidence- and science-based practices. Can be for Core, Supplemental, or Intervention. Digital or web-based instructional supports and materials that support the implementation of evidence-based literacy instruction and/or family literacy
engagement.
Assessment tools aligned with evidence- and science-based practices and aligned for appropriate grade level with the READ Act Advisory List of Assessments. *Restrictions apply, see note regarding curriculum purchases.
Instructional materials that support English learners or increase access to learning for students with disabilities that are aligned with evidence and science-based practices.
Consulting support on implementation of evidence- and science-based practices in classrooms.
All K-3 activities must be aligned with the READ Act.

All expenditures must be pre-approved by CDE.
The Federal Register published by the US Department of Education outlining these components and requirements can be found at THIS LINK.

Allowable Activities - PD 2-Year Cohort

BIRTH-5 YEARS OLD ACTIVITIES (15%)

Professional development on language development and the science of reading for early learners for teachers, administrators, paras, and support staff. Before purchasing or engaging in any professional learning, written pre-approval from the CLSD Program Manager is required to ensure alignment with evidence-based practices.
Eligible costs for professional development are: 1) Extra Duty Pay salary and benefits; 2) Mileage to participate in the professional learning (off-site only); 3) Purchase of the professional development product and training materials; 4) If not a PD product, fee for trainer or consultant delivering the PD.
Sustainability planning by partnering with Local Coordinating Organizations (LCOs), Family Resource Centers, Community Centered Boards (CCB), Child Find, childcare providers in the community, etc.
Parent, family, caregiver, and community partner engagement activities (Example: Growing Readers).
Support expansion of early reading risk identification (i.e., dyslexia, speech disorders, auditory processing, autism, sensory, other disabilities that affect reading, speaking, and writing development, social factors).

KINDERGARTEN-5th GRADE ACTIVITIES (40%) and 6TH-12TH GRADE ACTIVITIES (40%)

Professional development for teachers, administrators, instructional coaches, and support staff in the science of reading, writing, and language development.
Eligible costs for professional development are: 1) Extra Duty Pay salary and benefits; 2) Mileage to participate in the professional learning (off-site only); 3) Purchase of the professional development product and training materials; 4) If not a PD product, fee for trainer or consultant delivering the PD.
Participation in the 2-year Principal Leadership Institute: Literacy Leader Track.
- $2500 stipend each year for participation in training, meetings, and in-person events related to the PLI.
- Mileage and limited travel for in-person activities related to the PLI, including hotel and per diem.
District or school-wide literacy instructional coach. (Salary, benefits, and mileage between sites)
All K-3 activities must be aligned with the READ Act.

All expenditures must be pre-approved by CDE.
The Federal Register published by the US Department of Education outlining these components and requirements can be found at THIS LINK.

Administrative + Indirect Costs (5%) - Both Cohorts

Administrative costs must be directly related to the support and implementation of the CLSD grant and pre-approved by CDE.
It is a federal requirement that 95% of funds be used towards program implementation. The sum of administrative activities plus indirect costs cannot exceed 5% of the total awarded amount. The amount charged to indirect cannot exceed an applicant’s Indirect Cost Rate.

Non-Allowable Activities for Either Cohort

Capital needs, technology equipment (including tablets, laptops, bookshelves, other furniture, etc.), construction costs, food or alcohol costs, promotional or incentive items, and gift certificates.
Out-of-state travel.
Professional development, assessments, and instructional practices that are not aligned with the science of reading and any non-instructional activity not listed in the allowable costs.
Direct service staff salary or benefits such as intervention teachers.
Activities considered supplanting (Supplanting vs. Supplementing Guidance)

Local Literacy Plans

It is required as part of the grant project for subgrantees to create a Local Literacy Plan that:

Aligns with the Statewide Literacy Plan
Aligns with the Colorado Academic Standards for Reading, Writing, and Communicating
Includes interventions and practices that are ideally supported by moderate or strong evidence or, in the case where limited research is available, the intervention and practices are supported by promising evidence (See Literature Review)
Includes a plan for professional development
Includes a plan to track learner outcomes consistent with all applicable privacy requirements

Resources for Developing Local Literacy Plans:

External Consultants

Professional development and evidence-based literacy instruction are integral to the CLSD project, equipping educators with the tools and strategies necessary to support students' literacy development.

Research indicates that "one-shot" workshops are ineffective; instead, continuous professional development is crucial for effectively implementing evidence-based literacy instruction. An effective professional development model includes four key elements: theory, demonstration, practice and feedback, and coaching and follow-up.

Studies show that well-prepared teachers can significantly influence student achievement, often more than student background factors such as poverty, language background, and minority status. Therefore, investing in professional development and the effective implementation of new practices is a strategic and impactful allocation of resources that can significantly enhance student learning outcomes.

As part of the grant requirements, grantees must meet with an external literacy consultant based on their needs and funding allocation.

Selecting a Consultant

Changes to Your Project

Project and budget modification requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. For any necessary modifications, please contact the CLSD Program Grant Manager via email. All changes must receive prior written approval from CDE before implementation. Modifications made without prior approval will not be reimbursed.