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Elevating Literacy Across South Dakota (ELA-SD)

a Comprehensive Literacy State Development Grant (CLSD)

ELA-SD Goal

This project aims to improve literacy outcomes for PreK-12 students by supporting public school districts with implementation of the South Dakota Literacy Framework. Through a tiered approach 95% of the grant funds will be sub-granted to LEAs through a competitive grant process. LEAs will use those funds to implement literacy improvement plans and improve literacy instruction in alignment with the Science of Reading.

  Intent to Apply  




ELA-SD Objectives

Objective 1: Develop a set of statewide tools, resources, and supports available for all in-service and pre-service educators in the state.

Objective 2: Create a statewide system of tiered literacy support.

Objective 3: Invest in districts with the highest needs.




Tiered Approach

This tiered approach includes three levels of support based on LEA need:

Tier 1: Foundational Training and Resources for All LEAs -
Accessible to all LEAs, Tier 1 support includes foundational training and resources planned and delivered by the state. Training aims to establish sustainable resources and a shared understanding of critical areas, focusing on:

  • Goals, objectives, and strategies in the South Dakota Literacy Framework.
  • Effective evidence-based literacy education practices.
  • Support strategies for students with disabilities and English Learners (EL).
  • Development and implementation of literacy improvement plans.

Tier 2: Targeted Support for High-Need Districts (two-year grants) -
Designed for LEAs with a high percentage of students reading below grade level, Tier 2 competitive subgrants will support districts in scaling their literacy efforts. In addition to Tier 1 activities and foundational training, these LEAs will receive CLSD subgrants to further support improvement efforts. These grants will help LEAs develop literacy improvement plans, audit existing practices, provide professional learning opportunities, and receive technical assistance and coaching.

Tier 3: Intensive Support for Highest-Need LEAs (four-year grants) -
Targeting LEAs with the highest proportions of students reading below grade level and those most affected by COVID-19 attendance issues, Tier 3 provides CLSD subgrants to support literacy improvement plans, purchase supplemental evidence-based programs, hire literacy coaches, and offer ongoing professional development.

Required Activities

  • District-level literacy leadership team
  • District-level literacy plan
  • Statewide literacy network participation
  • Annual state literacy conference attendance
  • Universal literacy screening assessment
  • Oral language assessment for PreK (only PreK grantees)
  • Evaluation and monitoring activities
  • Reserve 6% of funds for evaluation, monitoring, network

Allowable Uses of Funds

  • Stipends or substitute pay, travel costs, and materials for participation in required activities and state literacy trainings
  • District identified professional learning aligned to the South Dakota Literacy Framework
  • Statewide literacy coach training

*Tier 3 only

  • Literacy screeners and assessments
  • Supplemental high-quality instructional materials (as identified through a curriculum audit)
  • Literacy coach salary

Unallowable Uses of Funds

  • District staff salaries
  • Non-literacy materials
  • Furniture or general office supplies
  • Technology- not related to screeners and programs
  • Out-of-state travel
  • Food or incentives

The information provided above is tentative and subject to change. Requirements, allowable uses of funds, and restrictions may be updated based on federal guidance or funding adjustments.

Grant Amounts
Final grant amounts will be determined based on the number of grants awarded. The amounts listed below are tentative.

  • Tier 2 - two-year grants
    • Up to $150,000 each year
  • Tier 3 - four-year grants
    • Small Districts - up to $150,000 each year
    • Medium Districts - up to $300,000 each year
    • Large Districts - up to $450,000 each year

Timeline

  • Application Opens in TitleI Crate in the coming weeks
  • Live Technical Assistance Webinars - following application release
  • Scheduled Office Hours - weekly during application window
  • Application deadline - approximately 6 weeks after application release
  • Application review - 4-6 weeks after application deadline
  • Awards announced - approximately May 1, 2025
  • Funds available to grantees - October 1, 2025

For more information contact Patti Lager with the South Dakota Department of Education.