The U.S. Department of Education has unveiled an impressive $256 million in grants aimed at enhancing literacy across the country. These Education Innovation and Research (EIR) grants represent a strategic initiative to improve educational outcomes through innovative methods.
Record Innovation Grants for Literacy Improvement
This round of funding marks the first under U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon’s new priorities, which emphasize:
- Strengthening evidence-based literacy instruction
- Expanding education choice
- Returning control of education to the states
Significantly, 10 out of the 24 awards have been allocated to state education agencies. This is a historic high for state-led literacy funding in the EIR program, demonstrating a commitment to localized educational leadership.
Secretary McMahon’s Commitment to Literacy
“As we return education to the states, my top priority is strengthening literacy outcomes in schools across America,” said Secretary McMahon. She emphasized that the grants aim to reinforce evidence-based literacy instruction while empowering states to establish effective literacy support systems.
Investment Focus on Rural America
A noteworthy aspect of this funding is its focus on rural communities. Over 65% of the grants, totaling more than $167 million, are earmarked for projects in rural areas. This allocation far surpasses the requirement to dedicate at least 25% of EIR funds to majority-rural projects.
Emphasizing Innovation and Broad Participation
Among the 24 grantees, 18 are participating in the EIR program for the first time. This indicates a successful effort to attract diverse and innovative proposals aimed at enhancing literacy education.
Multi-Tiered Evidence Structure
The EIR program employs a multi-tiered evidence framework, ensuring that federal funds support both promising innovations and proven methods. This structure consists of three tiers:
- Early-phase
- Mid-phase
- Expansion
The most recent competition specifically sought applications for the Mid-phase and Expansion tiers. This approach allows the Department to back effective interventions and swiftly promote evidence-based literacy practices that can lead to significant improvements in student achievements.
Historical Context of EIR Grants
Historically, the Department awarded fewer than one EIR grant to state education agencies per competition. Since 2017, only seven states have received funding through this program, highlighting the new direction with this latest round of grants.
The recent funding initiative showcases the U.S. Department of Education’s commitment to advancing literacy through robust, innovative solutions tailored to the unique needs of various educational communities.
