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Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) Grant: Insights Into the 2024-25 Application Cycle

Dec 12, 2024

In September 2024, the U.S. Department of Education awarded $194 million in competitive Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) grants to 22 states and Washington, D.C., over five years. This marks the second round of CLSD funding, building on the initial program launched in 2019. A supplemental one-year award was also issued in FY2023 to maintain momentum in advancing literacy initiatives.

The FY2024 grant cycle prioritizes evidence-based practices designed to provide explicit intervention and support in reading and writing for children from birth through grade 12. States awarded funds are required to subgrant at least 95% of the funds through a competitive process. Priority must be given to LEAs serving low-income and high-need students in diverse geographic areas.

The CLSD grant represents a significant investment in literacy development, focusing on equity and evidence-based practices. Whether you're a state leader or an LEA, this grant offers a transformative opportunity to enhance literacy outcomes and support the next generation of learners. Here's an overview of the latest updates and opportunities in the CLSD grant’s FY2024 application cycle.

Who Will Benefit?

The funding structure ensures comprehensive support across all grade levels:

15% of funds: Reserved for birth-to-kindergarten entry programs, focusing on early childhood educators and professional development.
85% of funds split evenly between:
- Grades K-5: Supporting professional development and explicit intervention for students whose literacy skills are below grade level.
- Grades 6-12: Targeting similar literacy improvements through intensive and supplemental interventions.

The following states and territories received awards: Alaska, California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Hawai’i, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Virginia.

What Will Be Funded?

While states will customize their grant requirements to align with local needs, the federal guidelines provide clear direction:

Birth-to-Kindergarten Subgrants: Emphasis on high-quality professional development for early childhood educators.
K-12 Subgrants: Focused on professional development and structured interventions in reading and writing to support struggling learners.

State Highlights: Early Application Information

Kentucky is the first state to open an RFA for its FY25 Kentucky Comprehensive Literacy (KyCL) Grant, with applications due December 18, 2024.

Focus: Tier 1 instruction with optional Tier 2 and Tier 3 activities.
Funding: 40 districts will receive between $1,065,000 and $1,560,000 over five years, based on district size.
Eligibility: Funds may be used for high-quality instructional resources (HQIRs) to implement structured literacy interventions.
Tier 1 HQIRs must be rated green on EdReports.
For Tier 3, resources listed on the Academic Intervention Tools Chart with strong effectiveness ratings are recommended.

Other emerging details on state applications:

California has announced that its application process will not open until July 2025 and will only be open to county offices of education (COEs).
Louisiana announced it will award funding to schools and systems through a competitive grant process beginning this school year. The first round of funding will be for the 2025-2026 school year. School and system leaders can stay up-to-date on opportunities to apply for competitive funding through the LDOE Weekly Newsletter.
Ohio has announced that its K-12 application will open in early 2025. The subgrant application processes will take place separately later in 2025.

Opportunities and Challenges for States

States with prior CLSD experience, such as Kentucky and California, may be better positioned to roll out programs effectively and provide clear district guidance. New awardees can look to these experienced states for best practices in program implementation and resource alignment.

As winter approaches and states release their grant applications, districts should start preparing now. Review the application abstracts and your state’s literacy plan and goals. Identifying literacy support gaps and aligning instructional resource needs to state literacy goals will be critical to securing funding.

Additional Resources and Support

Edmentum is dedicated to equipping educators with proven, research-based tools and services that deliver measurable growth and help close literacy gaps. Edmentum programs align seamlessly with CLSD grant priorities, providing targeted interventions and progress monitoring to help students achieve their fullest potential Learn more about how Edmentum can support your literacy initiatives.

To further support your literacy goals, explore our free Science of Reading Toolkit—a comprehensive resource to help you implement evidence-based practices that align with state literacy priorities and improve outcomes for every learner.