Superintendent Balow to Announce Receipt of Federal Literacy Grant

The Wyoming Department of Education will host a media conference at 11 am this upcoming Friday to discuss the Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy grant awarded by the United State Department of Education. According to a news release from the Department of Education, year one funding for Wyoming will be $8.6 million. With continued eligibility over the next five years, the total could reach $43.3 million. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jillian Balow and other WDE staff will be available during Friday’s media conference to discuss the grant and answer any questions.

The grant will be used to create a comprehensive state literacy program to advance literacy skills — including pre-literacy skills, reading, and writing — for students from birth through grade 12, including limited-English-proficient students and students with disabilities. The grant will strengthen educator skills in teaching literacy and work to improve literacy outcomes for all students. Particular attention will be given to schools identified as high need due to lower reading scores on state assessments.