Early Reading Specialists Initiative is sponsored by Virginia Department of Education. Funding for early reading specialists to enhance literacy programs in elementary schools across Virginia. [1]

Schools get $450K in literacy grants | The Farmville Herald You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser or activate Google Chrome Frame to improve your experience. Submit a Letter to the Editor Schools get $450K in literacy grants Published 4:30 pm Wednesday, January 14, 2026 Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Schools in Buckingham and Prince Edward counties have been named among dozens across Virginia receiving major state literacy grants aimed at improving reading instruction, supporting teachers and school leaders, and helping families build stronger early reading skills at home.

The Virginia Department of Education announced its second year recipients of the Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) Grant, a five-year, $30 million federal award designed to improve reading instruction for students with the greatest needs from early childhood through high school.

In its second year, the program will provide more than $7 million to 106 schools in 27 school divisions across the state following a competitive grant process.

“Virginia continues to expand its effort to help children learn to read and build literacy skills,” the department said in its statewide announcement, adding that the funding is intended to strengthen classroom instruction, support educators and give families practical tools to help children become strong readers.

“Virginia is making a clear choice to invest in literacy for every K-12 student, providing necessary supports to meaningfully improve literacy instruction. ,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Emily Anne Gullickson said in the release, noting the grant builds on the Virginia Literacy Act and supports proven reading practices in schools.

BCPS AWARDED NEARLY $240,000 Buckingham County Elementary School received $110,000, and Buckingham County Primary School received $129,920, Buckingham County Public Schools (BCPS) Superintendent Cynthia Reasoner, Ed. D. , said.

“We are extremely proud and excited that VDOE awarded Buckingham County Elementary School $110,000 and Buckingham County Primary School $129,920 for the CLSD grant initiatives,” Reasoner said. At Buckingham Primary, the Family Engagement Literacy Resources grant will focus on strengthening early-literacy skills by providing families with developmentally appropriate materials, support and guidance to reinforce learning at home.

“The goal is to help families actively support language and literacy development before and during students’ entry into kindergarten, reinforcing reading readiness at home and school,” Reasoner said. Both Buckingham Primary and Buckingham Elementary will also receive Literacy Improvement Network funding to support evidence-based instruction, professional learning, collaboration with literacy specialists and targeted interventions.

“The Literacy Improvement Network funding at both the primary and elementary schools will support evidence-based literacy instruction,” Reasoner said. “Funds will be used for professional learning, instructional resources, collaboration with literacy specialists, and targeted interventions designed to improve reading outcomes for students.

” While this is the statewide grant program’s second year, Buckingham previously received a smaller literacy award. “In the 2024–2025 school year, Buckingham County Primary School received approximately $14,000 to support take-home reading materials for preschool and kindergarten students,” Reasoner said. She noted that the 2025–2026 awards significantly expand the scope and impact of this work.

“These grants will help improve students’ literacy and reading skills by strengthening instructional practices, providing educators with targeted training, and ensuring students receive high-quality, research-based literacy instruction,” Reasoner said. “Early and sustained literacy support is essential to student success across all subject areas. ” She also emphasized the critical role of families.

“The family-focused grant emphasizes the critical role families play in early literacy development,” Reasoner said. “By equipping families with tools, resources, and guidance, the program supports stronger home-school partnerships that contribute to improved student achievement and long-term academic success.

” “We are extremely grateful for this opportunity to expand literacy support for our students and families and appreciate your interest in sharing this important work with the community,” she said. PECPS AWARDED NEARLY $215,000 Prince Edward County Public Schools (PECPS) also received CLSD funding.

Prince Edward Elementary School received $110,000 for Literacy Improvement Network and Family Engagement Literacy Resources for Birth to Kindergarten Entry, and Prince Edward Middle School received $104,752 for Literacy Improvement Network, according to Amy McClure, coordinator of grants for the division.

“Prince Edward Elementary School received $110,000 for Literacy Improvement Network and Family Engagement Literacy Resources for Birth to Kindergarten Entry. Prince Edward Middle School received $104,752 for Literacy Improvement Network,” McClure said.

“Through the Comprehensive Literacy Support Development Grant Prince Edward County Elementary and Middle School will be able to continue this partnership with TNTP to build off the foundation that school leaders have been able to establish thus far this year and that target their school improvement planning,” McClure said.

Preliminary TNTP partnership data at Prince Edward Elementary already show gains in classroom engagement, increased use of high-quality texts and improvements in standards-aligned instruction. McClure said the grant will help sustain these improvements and expand support for students who need interventions. In the first year of the grants program, the division received similar literacy funds, but they were limited in scope.

“Last year the MS and HS received these funds, however last year the grant was specifically for literacy for students with disabilities,” McClure said. “The grant this year allows PECPS to use the funds for all students. ” Family involvement is also a major focus at Prince Edward Elementary.

“These funds will engage families and encourage family literacy experiences at Prince Edward Elementary School through targeted TNTP-supported initiatives that extend K-4 classroom practices into the home,” McClure said. The grant will fund take-home literacy packs, decodable books, instructional resources aligned with classroom reading programs, multilingual supports and summer reading materials.

The division also plans family literacy nights and workshops where teachers will model reading strategies and phonics routines. According to VDOE, the second year of grant funding supports both family-focused literacy resources for young children and school-based Literacy Improvement Networks, which help school leadership teams receive training, learn evidence-based practices, collaborate and improve observation and feedback systems.

More than half of awarded schools statewide are also identified for additional federal school improvement support, the department said. Through the grants, state leaders said school divisions will be better positioned to provide effective literacy instruction in classrooms while also strengthening connections with families to support reading success at home.

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