Elevating Literacy Across South Dakota (ELA-SD) Grant

Elevating Literacy Across South Dakota (ELA-SD) Grant is sponsored by South Dakota Department of Education. Supports districts in implementing science-of-reading teacher training and literacy interventions.

Elevating Literacy Across South Dakota, SD Department of Education Elevating Literacy Across South Dakota (ELA-SD) Comprehensive Literacy State Development Grant (CLSD) This project aims to improve literacy outcomes for PreK-12 students by supporting public school districts with implementation of the South Dakota Literacy Framework.

Through a tiered approach 95% of the grant funds will be sub-granted to LEAs through a competitive grant process. LEAs will use those funds to implement literacy improvement plans and improve literacy instruction in alignment with the Science of Reading. Objective 1: Develop a set of statewide tools, resources, and supports available for all in-service and pre-service educators in the state.

Objective 2: Create a statewide system of tiered literacy support. Objective 3: Invest in districts with the highest needs. This tiered approach includes three levels of support based on LEA need: Tier 1: Foundational Training and Resources for All LEAs - Accessible to all LEAs, Tier 1 support includes foundational training and resources planned and delivered by the state.

Training aims to establish sustainable resources and a shared understanding of critical areas, focusing on: Goals, objectives, and strategies in the South Dakota Literacy Framework. Effective evidence-based literacy education practices. Support strategies for students with disabilities and English Learners (EL).

Development and implementation of literacy improvement plans. Tier 2: Targeted Support for High-Need Districts (two-year grants) - Designed for LEAs with a high percentage of students reading below grade level, Tier 2 competitive subgrants will support districts in scaling their literacy efforts. In addition to Tier 1 activities and foundational training, these LEAs will receive CLSD subgrants to further support improvement efforts.

These grants will help LEAs develop literacy improvement plans, audit existing practices, provide professional learning opportunities, and receive technical assistance and coaching.

Tier 3: Intensive Support for Highest-Need LEAs (four-year grants) - Targeting LEAs with the highest proportions of students reading below grade level and those most affected by COVID-19 attendance issues, Tier 3 provides CLSD subgrants to support literacy improvement plans, purchase supplemental evidence-based programs, hire literacy coaches, and offer ongoing professional development.

District-level literacy leadership team District-level literacy plan Statewide literacy network participation Annual state literacy conference attendance Universal literacy screening assessment Oral language assessment for PreK (only PreK grantees) Evaluation and monitoring activities Reserve 6% of funds for evaluation, monitoring, network Stipends or substitute pay, travel costs, and materials for participation in required activities and state literacy trainings District identified professional learning aligned to the South Dakota Literacy Framework Statewide literacy coach training Literacy screeners and assessments Supplemental high-quality instructional materials (as identified through a curriculum audit) Unallowable Uses of Funds Furniture or general office supplies Technology- not related to screeners and programs The information provided above is tentative and subject to change.

Requirements, allowable uses of funds, and restrictions may be updated based on federal guidance or funding adjustments. Awarded School Districts: Total Amount Over 4 Years For more information email DOE Literacy at the South Dakota Department of Education.