Rhode Island Department of Education Awards $6.5 Million in Grants to Improve Literacy Statewide
Published on Monday, October 20, 2025
23 grants will support local schools and districts with the first year of implementation of RI Reads Program
PROVIDENCE, RI – Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green and the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) today announced that the agency has awarded $6,500,000 in grant funding for the first year of implementation of the RI Reads program aimed to improve literacy statewide. The 23 grants that will support literacy initiatives in early childhood, elementary, and secondary education levels are possible through a 5-year federal Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) grant secured by RIDE in August 2024.
“Strong literacy skills are essential for a child’s future success, and with these investments, we are ensuring all Rhode Island students receive the high-quality, evidence-based literacy instruction they deserve,” said Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green. “With this support, schools and districts will be equipped to build stronger literacy programs that set up students to thrive. We’re proud to continue this vital work in partnership with our educators statewide.”
The grants will focus on developing literacy coaching structures, enhancing partnerships with Educator Preparation Programs, and reimagining systems for Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS).
While final award totals are to be determined based on proposals, grantees include:
Birth – Pre-K Grantees:
- Beautiful Beginnings Child Care Center
- Central Falls School District
- East Providence School District
- Little Learners Academy
- Pawtucket School District
- West Warwick Public Schools
- Woonsocket Head Start
Elementary Grantees:
- East Bay Consortium (Newport, Bristol-Warren, and Middletown)
- Johnston Public Schools
- Paul Cuffee School
- Providence Public Schools
- RISE Prep Academies
- Southside Elementary School
- Westerly Public Schools
Secondary Grantees:
- Blackstone Academy
- Blackstone Valley Prep
- Central Falls School District
- Pawtucket School District
- Providence Public Schools
- Trinity Academy for the Performing Arts
- The Learning Community
- West Warwick Public Schools
- Woonsocket Education Department
The purpose of the CLSD grant program is to advance literacy skills, including pre-literacy skills, reading, and writing, for students from birth through grade 12. The funds are made possible through the Literacy Education for All, Results for the Nation (LEARN) program, which provides competitive grants to states to help local school districts develop comprehensive literacy plans to guarantee high-quality instruction and evidence-based intervention strategies for all students.
A recently released report from the Annenberg Institute at Brown University spotlighted RIDE’s commitment to supporting educators through investments in professional learning and high-quality instructional materials. Among highlights, the report noted that through initiatives like the Instructional Coaching Corps and CLSD grant program, RIDE has made strategic investments funding dozens of coaching positions and provided statewide training to strengthen instructional practice.
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What They Are Saying:
“Rhode Island’s focus on improving literacy skills reflects our commitment to helping unlock our students’ full potential and setting them up for future success,” said Governor Dan McKee. “The Ocean State has garnered national attention for our work to improve attendance and math outcomes, and we will continue to build on our momentum with a focus on literacy. I commend RIDE for their work in securing these critical federal funds and congratulate all the organizations that were chosen as recipients and partners in our work to boost literacy.”
“Literacy is the foundation of learning, and these federal funds will help Rhode Island students develop strong reading skills, putting our students on the pathway to success in the classroom and beyond,” said U.S. Senator Jack Reed.
“Strong reading skills are the foundation of success in the classroom and beyond,” said U.S. Senator Whitehouse. “This federal investment will help remake statewide literacy programs to improve outcomes for kids of all ages, including older students who need extra support to catch up.”
“Every child in Rhode Island deserves access to the tools needed to become a confident reader and writer,” said Congressman Seth Magaziner. “This federal funding will strengthen literacy instruction in Rhode Island schools, support educators, and open more doors of opportunity for students from their earliest years through graduation.”
“Every Rhode Island child, no matter their grade level, socioeconomic background, or disability, deserves access to building reading comprehension skills that will be valuable for a lifetime,” said Congressman Gabe Amo.