Grants awarded to Maryland school systems to strengthen literacy

BALTIMORE – The Maryland State Department of Education has awarded $43.3 million in grants to local school systems to help advance literacy among students from birth to grade 12.

All 24 Maryland school systems received funding, with grants ranging from $1 million to $2.8 million across the three-year grant cycle.

“Every child in Maryland deserves access to a world-class education, regardless of the neighborhood they happen to grow up in,” said Governor Larry Hogan. “These grants will help provide the vital and necessary literacy skills that lead to greater success in the classroom and in the workforce.”

Funds for the program came through the three-year $45 million federal Striving Readers’ Comprehensive Literacy Grant, awarded to MSDE last year.  It was the largest competitive grant awarded to MSDE in nearly three years.

“Better literacy programs will provide a stronger foundation for all learning throughout Maryland,” said Dr. Karen Salmon, Maryland State Superintendent of Schools. “This important program will enhance learning at the local level and provide stronger professional development in all corners of the State.”

Funding amounts were determined by peer reviewers using priority areas developed by the US Department of Education. Reviewers looked at each application for adherence to federal grant guidelines and placed emphasis on disadvantaged students; use of strong and moderate evidence; alignment of birth to grade 5; partnerships with nonprofit providers of early childhood education; and use of strategic professional learning.

The following three-year grants to school systems are being distributed:

Allegany – $1.7 million

Anne Arundel – $1.4 million

Baltimore City – $2.8 million

Baltimore County – $1.75 million

Calvert – $1.7 million

Caroline – $1.7 million

Carroll – $1.51 million

Cecil – $2 million

Charles – $2.78 million

Dorchester – $1.72 million

Frederick – $2.8 million

Garrett – $1 million

Harford – $1.31 million

Howard – $2 million

Kent – $1.2 million

Montgomery – $2 million

Prince George’s – $2 million

Queen Anne’s – $1 million

Somerset – $2.8 million

St. Mary’s – $1.6 million

Talbot – $1.78 million

Washington – $2 million

Wicomico – $1.7 million

Worcester – $1.2 million

The total grant awards topped $43.25 million, more than 95 percent of the federal grant was received by MSDE last year.