Delaware Schools Receive $7.1 Million in Early Literacy Grants
The Delaware Department of Education has awarded more than $7.1 million in grants to 28 districts and charter schools to support teacher training, instructional coaching and early literacy instruction during the 2026-27 school year. (Photo courtesy of Delaware.gov.)
The Delaware Department of Education has awarded more than $7.1 million in grants to 28 school districts and charter schools for the 2026-27 school year to strengthen early literacy instruction and improve reading outcomes for students.
The funding is part of the state’s second round of Bridge to Practice grants, which support teacher training, instructional coaching, curriculum development and school leadership initiatives focused on the science of reading.
Several school districts in Kent and Sussex counties received funding, including Capital School District, which was awarded $763,855.93, Lake Forest School District with $321,093.20 and Milford School District with $248,238.10.
Other local recipients include Cape Henlopen School District, which received $316,384.87; Laurel School District, $207,285.75; Indian River School District, $146,448.42; Woodbridge School District, $132,485.60; Seaford School District, $81,799; and Sussex Academy, $84,057.75.
The grants are intended to help educators apply research-based reading instruction methods in classrooms through ongoing professional development and support.
“We know how to teach children to read, and we believe every Delaware student can become a strong reader,” Secretary of Education Cindy Marten said. “Passing strong policy is important. Providing resources is important. Training educators and providing coaching are important. But none of those things alone is the outcome we are working toward. The work is making sure what we know reaches students through strong instruction every day and then showing our progress in ways we can reliably measure, see and report. That is how we move plans into progress and stay accountable as we go.”
The funding supports Delaware’s Birth through Grade 3 Early Literacy Plan, which focuses on improving reading instruction during the earliest years of education.
Grant recipients can use the funding for science-of-reading training programs such as LETRS and AIM Pathways, curriculum-based professional learning, instructional coaching and leadership development through the Early Literacy Leadership Academy.
The state previously awarded $6.1 million to 25 districts and charter schools in March as part of the first round of Bridge to Practice grants.
During that round, Indian River School District used funding to improve consistency in literacy instruction across its elementary schools through districtwide instructional frameworks, monthly classroom observations and professional learning for prekindergarten through third-grade educators.
Capital School District focused on connecting teacher training to classroom instruction through student work, classroom reflections and participation in the state’s Student-Centered Coaching program.
The latest round of funding will continue those efforts while placing additional emphasis on how training and instructional strategies are implemented in classrooms.
Throughout the school year, the Department of Education will work with participating districts and charter schools to evaluate progress through classroom observations, coaching activities and student literacy data.
The grants are part of Delaware’s broader early literacy strategy and the Department of Education’s 2025-2028 Strategic Plan.
