The funding highlights evidence-based instruction and expanded state leadership.
The U.S. Department of Education recently announced $256 million in new Education Innovation and Research (EIR) grants directed at improving literacy outcomes nationwide. The grants focus on mid-phase and expansion-level projects, which are intended to scale interventions that already show measurable improvements in student literacy outcomes.
“Every dollar from this year’s EIR awards will support the use and expansion of evidence-based literacy instruction, expand education choice, and empower grant recipients to build and sustain high-quality literacy support systems for students. This is a huge opportunity for states to lead, and they are rising to the occasion,” said Education Secretary Linda McMahon.
This funding cycle supports the shift toward state leadership, with 10 of the 24 grants awarded to state education agencies, which is the highest number of state-led awards in the program’s history.
More than $167 million of the funding will support projects in rural areas, well above the program’s minimum requirement for rural investment. Most recipients are new to the program—reflecting an expanded pool of applicants using research-backed approaches.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For officials in the Department of Education and state education agencies as they administer literacy programs and monitor results.
- For Secretary McMahon and education personnel overseeing the use of federal funds tied to evidence-based instruction.
- For U.S. education officials to ensure that the literacy initiative grants are implemented effectively and reach students with the greatest need.
Sources: Department of Education
