The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education announced this week that 80 early learning programs and public schools will receive funding and professional services through the U.S. Department of Education’s Comprehensive Literacy State Development grant.
The five-year $49 million grant — more than double the amount of the previous Comprehensive Literacy State Development grant awarded in 2020 — provides statewide opportunities for early learning programs and K-12 schools to receive services and funds that directly align with DESE’s Read, Lead, Exceed initiative.
Services provided include professional development for administrators, literacy coaches and teachers, access to literacy specialists, and family literacy support and resources.
“Literacy is one of DESE’s priority areas, which makes this grant opportunity particularly exciting to share,” Commissioner of Education Karla Eslinger said in a statement. “This grant will provide our schools and early learning centers with the resources they need to continue promoting literacy in Missouri. Literacy is key to getting our students on their path to success.”
Participating programs sharing in the grant money in Southwest Missouri:
• Field Early Childhood Center, Neosho School District.
• Benton Elementary School, Neosho School District.
• Carver Elementary School, Neosho School District.
• Goodman Elementary School, Neosho School District.
• Madge T. James Kindergarten Center, Webb City School District.
• Neosho Middle School, Neosho School District.
• South Elementary School, Neosho School District.
• Verona Elementary School, Verona School District.