Early Literacy Grant

Early Literacy Grant (ELG) News

2021 ELG Implementation Consultant Review

Consultants who submitted the ELG Implementation Consultant Letter of Intent by March 31, 2021 are eligible to apply to be considered for inclusion on the ELG Implementation Consultant Advisory List.

Application information and relevant forms will be posted on this page and emailed to those who completed the ELG Implementation Consultant Letter of Intent. Please email Laura Stelling with any questions.

Application window: April 15th - May 14th, 2021

Stakeholders are encouraged to view a draft copy of the request for applications here: ELG Implementation Consultant Advisory List Request for Applications

2021/2022 ELG - Professional Development Grant

House Bill 18-1393 amendments to the Colorado 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 kindergarten through third grade (K-3) students. These funds are specifically intended for early literacy professional development for elementary educators. This grant opportunity is designed to support Colorado educators in implementation of scientifically based reading research programs and strategies for K-3 students.

The application information and relevant forms will be posted on this page and announced via SCOOP. Please email Laura Stelling with any questions.

Application window: April 19th - May 17th, 2021

Application Information Webinar: April 23rd, 2021 (Register here.)

The Comprehensive ELG 2020 – 2021 timeline can be found here.

Important upcoming dates for current Comprehensive ELG grantees:

Winter

Middle of year: With ELG consultant, evaluate data and review progress toward funding goals.

Spring

April 15th: If applicable, submit remaining budget change requests for the rest of the fiscal year.
April 30th: Submit up-to-date budget spreadsheet (in Excel format), including any approved budget changes.
May 1st: Submit finalized budget for the following fiscal year. (This gives CDE time to review.)
End of year: With ELG consultant, evaluate data and determine if funding goals were met

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 the 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.

SB 19-199 amended the Colorado READ Act and incorporated changes to the Early Literacy Grant program requiring an update to the rules. The state board approved the amended rules for the administration of the Early Literacy Grant program during the September board meeting. Updates include increased funding, additional reporting requirements and training for K-3 teachers.

Early Literacy Grant Rules

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 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.

Through the Comprehensive Early Literacy Grant Program, the Colorado Department of Education:

Assists grantees in establishing instructional systems based on Scientifically Based Reading Research to improve the quality of reading instruction for all K – 3 students.
Help schools implement a multi-tiered support system to reduce the number of students reading below grade level.
Provides professional development to principals, teachers and intervention teachers on effective instructional practices and the underlying teaching infrastructures to improve reading achievement among K – 3 students.
Assists grantees in administering and interpreting approved interim and diagnostic assessments pursuant to the READ Act.
Supports implementation of school-wide literacy programs as well as programs designed for targeted and intensive instructional interventions.
Assists grantees with testing schedules and interpreting assessment data.

Timeline: Comprehensive Early Literacy Grant Program

Cohort 1: 2013 - 2016

Launched consisting of 30 schools from 15 districts in 7/8 regions of the state.

Early Literacy Grant Awardees Cohort 1 (PDF)

Cohort 2: 2016 - 2019

Launched consisting of 21 schools from 14 districts in 6/8 regions of the state.

Early Literacy Grant Awardees Cohort 2 (PDF)

Cohort 3: 2017 - 2020

Launched consisting of 11 schools from 6 districts in 5/8 regions of the state.

Early Literacy Grant Awardees Cohort 3 (PDF)

Cohort 4: Spring 2019 - 2022

Launched consisting of 30 schools from 19 districts in 7/8 regions of the state.

Early Literacy Grant Awardees Cohort 4 (PDF)

Annual Literacy Professional Development Grant Program

Through a competitive application process, local education providers received funding to support the implementation of evidence-based reading programming and strategies. CDE awarded grants to 10 applicants, out of an applicant pool of 24, totaling approximately $500,000.

House Bill 18-1393, the 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.

Sustainability Grant

Cohort 3 participants applied to receive additional funding to continue their efforts through the 2020-2021 school year. The 6 eligible current ELG Cohort 3 consortia (totaling 10 schools) received a total of $750,000.