MSDE Awards More than $43 Million to Local Systems to Strengthen Literacy

Funding Via a Three-Year Competitive Federal Grant

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 received by MSDE last year.