Montana Literacy Grant

Montana Literacy Grant is sponsored by Montana Office of Public Instruction. Supports literacy programs for children from birth through grade 12, focusing on disadvantaged students in Montana.

The Office of Public Instruction is excited to be among 23 states awarded the Comprehensive Literacy State Development Grant, a highly competitive grant designed to foster a robust literacy program.

This grant aims to enhance literacy skills—including pre-literacy, reading, and writing—for children from birth through grade 12, with a focus on supporting disadvantaged children, including those living in poverty, English learners, and children with disabilities.

To improve literacy outcomes, the initiative will provide professional development in the science of reading and in implementation science to help schools sustain effective literacy instruction. Identify and support districts serving the highest percentages of disadvantaged students, building their capacity to accelerate literacy outcomes.

Increase the number of disadvantaged students taught by skilled educators trained to deliver and sustain research-based reading instruction. Strengthen both State and local educational systems to provide and implement high-quality, evidence-based literacy instruction. MT Reads Community of Practice New Are you interested in seeing what our grant districts are learning?

Check out our Community of Practice on Oral Language . Grant Application Resources Montana's Awarded Application Montana's 2024 application to the U.S. Department of Education Rachel Gott – MT Reads Literacy Grants Supervisor and Project Director Rachel Gott will serve as the MT Reads Literacy Grant Director. Rachel grew up in Montana and received a B.

A. in Elementary Education from Montana State University Billings. After teaching in several areas across the United States and the world, Rachel went back to school for a master's degree in curriculum and instruction and a Ph.

D. in literacy studies with an emphasis in dyslexia studies. She worked for the Colorado Department of Education for five years running the Early Literacy Grant before moving home to Montana to help support schools with the implementation of the MCLP and MCLSDP grants.

In 2021, Rachel moved to the MCLSDP Grant Director position and brings her expertise, leadership experience, and connections with the field to this role. Katy Pellett – MT Reads Literacy Grant Specialist Katy Pellett serves as one of the MT Reads Grant Specialists. Katy was born and raised in Montana, is now raising her own family here, and is a passionate advocate for literacy.

Her academic journey, from an English degree to a minor in Native American Studies and a master's degree in English teaching, reflects her commitment and expertise. Her teaching experiences at Big Sky and Seeley-Swan High Schools deepened her resolve. Now, at OPI, she brings her education, classroom and parent perspective, love for Montana, and respect for the traditional guardians of this land to the Montana Reads initiative.

Raina Wedeward – MT Reads Literacy Grant Specialist Raina Wedeward serves as one of the MT Reads Grant Specialists. Raina grew up in Wisconsin and received her EC-MC teaching degree from the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse.

She moved to Montana to teach at Roberts School, where she learned about the Science of Reading and attended several Big Sky Literacy Summits, witnessing the power of these evidence-based practices in her own classroom. After teaching in Colorado for a time, she returned to her chosen home in Montana, determined to be a friendly, knowledgeable resource helping schools find success in their Montana Reads Grant experience.

MT Reads Literacy Grant Specialist: Katy Pellett , 406-438-7033 MT Reads Literacy Grant Specialist: Raina Wedeward , Contact number: TBD For questions, please contact Rachel Gott , 406-465-4218. MT School for the Deaf & Blind Grant applications were due for eligible districts on March 14, 2025.

MT Reads Grant Application Grant application resource page – training videos, application writing packet, FAQs, and more If you need support, please contact Rachel Gott to schedule an appointment. Initial implementation support webinar recording – January 10, 2025 Eligible districts: Please use this form to help us prepare for reviewing applications for the MT Reads Grant.

District intent to apply form Montana's 2024 application to the U.S. Department of Education SY 2024–25 comprehensive needs assessment Montana Literacy Plan (2018 edition) Process to select relevant evidence-based interventions IES What Works Clearinghouse – evidence-based literacy resources These districts were deemed eligible to apply for the Montana Reads Grant in spring of 2025.

Billings Senior High School Lewis & Clark Middle School Medicine Crow Middle School Dutton/Brady K-12 Schools East Glacier Park Elementary Great Falls Public Schools Judith Gap Public Schools Lincoln K-12 Public Schools Lodge Grass Public Schools Montana School for Deaf and Blind North Star Public Schools St.

Ignatius K-12 Schools Sun River Valley Public Schools Thompson Falls Public Schools Wolf Point Public Schools These districts are eligible, but must find an eligible middle or high school to apply with: Gildford Colony Elementary Early Targeted Interventions