Early Literacy Grant

Rulemaking hearing for the Early Literacy Grant

SB 19-199 amended the Colorado READ Act and incorporated changes to the Early Literacy Grant program requiring an update to the rules. The board reviewed anticipated updates to the rules for the Early Literacy Grant (ELG) program resulting from 2019 changes to the Colorado READ Act during their August board meeting. CDE will be accepting public comment on the DRAFT Early Literacy Grant rules. Public comment period is open from August 14, 2019 to September 5, 2010. Please email comments to Marisa Calzadillas.

Proposed Early literacy Grant Rules

Crosswalk of of current and proposed ELG rules

ELG Rules Timeline:

July 2019: Notice of rulemaking
August 2019:Information item regarding rulemaking
September 2019: Rulemaking hearing
October 2019: Rulemaking hearing (if needed)

History and Purpose

In 2012, the Colorado READ Act established an Early Literacy Grant Program. This is a comprehensive grant program focused on system-wide early literacy efforts. In 2018, House Bill 18-1393, revised READ Act to expand Early Literacy Grants to include two additional grant programs - Sustainability Grants for those completing a Comprehensive Early Literacy Grant and an Annual Literacy Professional Development Grant.

Rules for the Administration of the Early Literacy Grant (effective 11-30-18)

Comprehensive Early Literacy Grant Program

Established in 2012, the Comprehensive Early Literacy Grant (ELG) Program is a comprehensive approach to improving early literacy, focused on implementing and sustaining scientifically and evidence-based reading instruction. The Comprehensive Early Literacy Grant Program is designed to distribute funds to local education providers, including school districts, BOCES, and district charter schools or Institute Charter Schools, to ensure the essential components of reading instruction are embedded into all elements of the primary, K-3 teaching structures in all schools, including universal and targeted and intensive instructional interventions, to assist all students in achieving reading competency.

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Sustainability Grant

This Request for Proposal (RFP) will be opened in the final year of the Comprehensive Early Literacy Grant cycle. It is designed to distribute funds to assist local education providers in sustainability planning after their receipt of a Comprehensive Early Literacy Grant. Eligibility for the Sustainability Grant is limited to those local education providers which are in the last year of funding for with a Comprehensive Early Literacy Grant.

Annual Literacy Professional Development Grant Program

House Bill 18-1393, revised READ Act, authorized the Early Literacy Grant Annual Professional Development (ELG PD) Program. This grant opportunity is geared to support Colorado educators in the implementation of scientifically and evidence-based reading programming and strategies for K-3 students. An effort championed by the State Board of Education, these funds are specifically intended for early literacy professional development for elementary educators.