McKenzie Snow, Director of Iowa Department of Education | Iowa Department Of Education
The Iowa Department of Education has awarded $3.8 million in competitive subgrants to 28 school districts and public charter schools across the state. The funding is intended to help these schools develop and implement local literacy plans that align with the Science of Reading framework and Iowa’s statewide Comprehensive State Literacy Plan.
Governor Kim Reynolds highlighted the importance of early literacy, stating, “Iowa is prioritizing early literacy in classrooms all across our state and supporting the teacher-parent partnerships so critical to helping children become excellent readers. With these grants, we will continue to support students as they learn to read through proven approaches, so they can spend a lifetime reading to learn.”
The department received over $24 million from a multi-year federal Comprehensive Literacy State Development grant provided by the U.S. Department of Education. This grant supports evidence-based literacy practices and builds on previous state legislation focused on early literacy.
“Iowa has advanced rigorous academic standards, instructional materials, learning interventions, personalized tutoring and professional development, and our collective work has made a remarkable difference for students across Iowa,” said McKenzie Snow, Director of the Iowa Department of Education. “Building upon the momentum of Iowa’s incredible early literacy gains, the Department is excited to celebrate and support each of these awardees in realizing their commitment to evidence-based reading instruction that accelerates learning for all students.”
Recent results from the 2025 Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress indicate notable improvements in student reading proficiency. Students who were third graders during the 2023-24 school year showed an 11 percentage point increase in proficiency as fourth graders in 2024-25 after implementing new state legislation.
The department will use its federal grant funds to further expand support for Science of Reading-aligned instruction through professional development, leadership training, quality instructional materials, community engagement, and targeted tutoring based on student data.
Awarded districts and public charter schools will use initial planning subgrants for activities such as hiring literacy consultants and providing professional development on reading science for staff members. The amount awarded varies depending on each district’s student population and plan details. Schools meeting planning requirements may apply for additional implementation grants through 2029.
Additionally, efforts are underway to align teacher preparation programs at higher education institutions with Science of Reading principles while continuing educator training initiatives like LETRS professional learning.
In determining recipients, priority was given to applicants whose local plans closely matched Iowa’s statewide goals—especially those serving large populations from low-income backgrounds or with significant achievement gaps among student groups such as English learners or children with disabilities. Consideration was also given to ensuring representation from districts of varying sizes across all nine geographic regions served by Area Education Agencies (AEAs).
The Comprehensive Literacy State Development program is authorized under Sections 2221-2225 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), aiming to improve literacy skills from birth through grade 12.
More information about Iowa's Comprehensive Literacy State Development Grant can be found on the Department’s website.
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