Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) Grant

Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) Grant is sponsored by U.S. Department of Education (administered by Maryland State Department of Education - MSDE). This opportunity supports mission-aligned projects and measurable outcomes.

Read and Lead Maryland: The MD Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) Grant Office of Finance and Operations Office of Fiscal Operations and Accountability Office of Special Fiscal Programs Office of Policy and Program Support Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund Transparency ARP Local Maintenance of Equity​​ Blueprint State Aid to Local School Systems Read and Lead Maryland: The MD Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) Grant Read and Lead Maryland: The Maryland Comprehensive Literacy State Development Grant (CLSD) serves as a cornerstone initiative aimed at transforming literacy outcomes across the state.

Designed and implemented by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), this grant focuses on addressing persistent literacy achievement gaps, promoting high-quality literacy instruction, and equipping educators with the tools and knowledge necessary to deliver evidence-based teaching practices from birth through grade 12.

This initiative seeks to elevate both educator capacity and student achievement, paving the way for academic success and lifelong learning for all of Maryland’s students. The strategies outlined in MSDE’s CLSD grant are designed to build systemwide capacity to strengthen literacy instruction for all students, with a particular emphasis on those most likely to experience reading difficulties.

The strategy menu for Read and Lead subgrants consisted of: Supporting LEA-based Literacy Coaching (Coaching) Developing or Expanding Multi-tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) Expanding Implementation of Structured Literacy Instruction (Structured Literacy) Implementing a Comprehensive Professional Learning Model (PL Model) Adopting and Implementing High Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM) Developing LEA Partnerships with Institutions of Higher Education (IHE Partnerships) Increasing Evidence-based Practices in Gifted and Talented Programming (GT) Overview of Read and Lead Maryland Competitive Awards The U.S. Department of Education awards CLSD grants to State Education Agencies (SEAs) to support the development of state-led comprehensive literacy programs.

Per statute*, SEAs must award 95% of CLSD funds to eligible entities through a competitive application process. Over the five-year grant period, MSDE will sub-grant approximately $38 million of the $40 million award, with a minimum of 15% directed to programs supporting children from birth through age 5, 40% to kindergarten through grade 5, and 40% to grades 6 through 12.

*Authorized under Sections 2221–2225 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 (ESSA).

Five-Year Total Required Funding by Grade Band Grade Band Five-Year Total Required Funding Birth–Age 5 (B–5) $6,000,000 Kindergarten–Grade 5 (K–5) Grades 6–12 (6–12) $16,000,000 In alignment with this requirement, MSDE conducted a competitive subgrant application process in Spring 2025.

All of Maryland’s 24 local education agencies (LEAs) and the Juvenile Services Education Program (JSEP) submitted applications representing 59 proposed projects across three grade bands. Following a multi-stage review process, MSDE awarded funds to support 21 projects across 14 LEAs and JSEP. Congratulations to all Read and Lead Maryland awardees.

The following table shows the awardees and award details (grade bands awarded, Read and Lead strategies, and anticipated five-year award amount): Read and Lead Maryland Awardees and Award Details LEA / Entity Name Grade Bands Read and Lead Strategies Five-Year Award Amount Anne Arundel County Public Schools K–5 Coaching, MTSS $1,207,896.

23 Baltimore County Public Schools B–5 Coaching, HQIM, MTSS, PL Models, Structured Literacy $5,065,369. 00 Caroline County Public Schools K–5 MTSS, HQIM $1,689,000. 00 Cecil County Public Schools Coaching, Structured Literacy, MTSS $4,967,283.

00 Charles County Public Schools B–5 Coaching, MTSS, PL Models, Structured Literacy, HQIM $2,306,967. 63 Dorchester County Public Schools 6–12 Coaching, HQIM, PL Models, MTSS $1,054,111. 50 Garrett County Public Schools K–5 Juvenile Services Education Program (Department of Juvenile Services) 6–12 HQIM, PL Models, IHE Partnerships, Structured Literacy $600,100.

00 Montgomery County Public Schools 6–12 Coaching, MTSS, PL Models, IHE Partnerships $3,255,700. 00 Prince George's County Public Schools 6–12 IHE Partnerships $433,440. 00 Queen Anne's County Public Schools B–5 Coaching, MTSS, HQIM, Structured Literacy $257,166.

26 Somerset County Public Schools K–5 Coaching, MTSS, Structured Literacy, PL Models, HQIM, GT $10,479,027. 00 St. Mary's County Public Schools K–5 Coaching, HQIM, PL Models, MTSS, Structured Literacy $2,858,472.

00 Talbot County Public Schools B–5 HQIM, PL Models, MTSS $211,278. 00 Wicomico County Public Schools 6–12 Coaching, MTSS, Structured Literacy, PL Models $1,947,327. 00 MSDE monitors all Read and Lead subgrants to ensure compliance with federal and state requirements and to support the successful implementation of approved projects.

The Read and Lead Maryland Subgrant Monitoring Handbook provides detailed guidance on monitoring expectations, indicators, timelines, documentation, and processes for desk and onsite monitoring. Read and Lead Maryland Subgrant Monitoring Handbook (PDF) If you have questions about monitoring or need assistance, please contact the CLSD Grant Liaison. The Read and Lead Maryland subgrant competition has concluded.

REQUEST FOR APPLICATION (RFA) and GRANT INFORMATION GUIDE (GIG) were provided to applicants as guidance for the application process. MSDE additionally offered pre-application support through technical assistance webinars, one-on-one office hour sessions, and an FAQ document. Applications were due on April 28, 2025.

If you have questions about the awards or the application process, please contact the Program Manager: Executive Director, Literacy Programs and Initiatives