Commissioner of Education Angélica Infante-Green | Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
The Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) has announced the distribution of $6.5 million in grants as part of the first year of the RI Reads program, which aims to improve literacy across the state. The funding, made possible through a five-year federal Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) grant secured in August 2024, will support 23 grants targeting early childhood, elementary, and secondary education.
Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green emphasized the importance of literacy for student success. “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 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 awarded grants will focus on building literacy coaching structures, expanding partnerships with Educator Preparation Programs, and updating systems for Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). The grantees include organizations and school districts serving children from birth through grade 12.
Recipients among Birth – Pre-K providers include Beautiful Beginnings Child Care Center, Central Falls School District, East Providence School District, Little Learners Academy, Pawtucket School District, West Warwick Public Schools, and Woonsocket Head Start.
Elementary level recipients are East Bay Consortium (serving Newport, Bristol-Warren, and Middletown), Johnston Public Schools, Paul Cuffee School, Providence Public Schools, RISE Prep Academies, Southside Elementary School, and Westerly Public Schools.
Secondary level grants have been awarded to 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, and Woonsocket Education Department.
The CLSD program is designed to promote literacy skills—including pre-literacy abilities as well as reading and writing—for students from birth through grade 12. Funding comes from the federal Literacy Education for All Results for the Nation (LEARN) program. This initiative supports states in helping local school districts develop comprehensive plans for high-quality instruction and evidence-based interventions.
A recent report by the Annenberg Institute at Brown University highlighted RIDE’s efforts to invest in professional learning opportunities for educators and provide high-quality instructional materials statewide. Initiatives such as the Instructional Coaching Corps and CLSD grant program were noted as significant steps toward strengthening teaching practices across Rhode Island.
Governor Dan McKee commented on the importance of improving literacy outcomes: “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 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.”
U.S. Senator Jack Reed added: “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.”
U.S. Senator Whitehouse stated: “Strong reading skills are the foundation of success in the classroom and beyond. 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.”
Congressman Seth Magaziner remarked: “Every child in Rhode Island deserves access to the tools needed to become a confident reader and writer. 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.”
Congressman Gabe Amo said: “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.”
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