Indiana Department of Education Awards $15 Million Science of Reading Grant to Schools in LaPorte and Porter Counties

The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) has announced the recipients of the 2023-2024 Competitive Science of Reading Grant. Over $15 million has been awarded to 72 school corporations, benefiting more than 65,000 students in kindergarten through third grade. The grant aims to support the implementation of evidence-based practices aligned with the science of reading.

In LaPorte and Porter counties, two school corporations have received funding. Duneland School Corporation was awarded $276,840, while South Central Community School Corporation received $149,947. The full list of grant recipients can be found here.

Dr. Katie Jenner, Indiana Secretary of Education, emphasized the urgency of improving literacy rates. Indiana has set an ambitious goal of ensuring that 95% of third graders are proficient readers by 2027. This not only has a significant impact on students’ futures but also on Indiana’s economy and society as a whole. Dr. Jenner commended the grant recipients for their dedication to implementing evidence-based practices aligned with the science of reading.

The successful grant applications incorporated various elements, such as placing literacy instructional coaches in each school serving kindergarten through third grade, providing professional development opportunities for teachers and administrators, increasing instructional time for struggling readers, and purchasing curricular materials aligned with the science of reading.

The Competitive Science of Reading Grant is part of Indiana’s $170 million investment in literacy, with a focus on the science of reading. The science of reading combines scientifically-based research with instructional practices to improve phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. The Indiana Department of Education has also introduced several initiatives to support literacy, including free instructional coaching, early reading assessments, science of reading modules, literacy support plans, and literacy achievement grants.

These initiatives aim to provide additional support to Indiana schools and educators as they work towards improving literacy rates. The funding for the Competitive Science of Reading Grant is allocated through the state’s biennial budget.