The Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) grant will provide opportunities for grantees statewide to receive services and funds that directly align to DESE’s Read, Lead, Exceed literacy initiatives. Services will include high-quality professional development(PD)for administrators, literacy coaches, and teachers, as well as access to CLSD literacy specialists and family literacy support and resources. The grant is also committed to strengthening pre-service teachers' knowledge of evidence-based literacy instruction and collaboration between educator preparation programs and Pre-K through grade -12 educators.

The purpose of the CLSD 2024 grant is to build capacity across the state in developing, implementing, and sustaining equitable systems of support to meet literacy needs, and increase knowledge statewide for LEA leaders, educators, and pre-service teachers to advance evidence-based literacy practices for all children, birth to grade 12. To this end, DESE has partnered with the Show-Me Literacy Collaborative (SMLC), which is composed of Missouri Language and Literacy Center (MLLC), the Missouri Writing Project Network, the University of Missouri –Columbia, the University of Missouri –St. Louis, and the University of Central Missouri to work directly with early learning programs, LEAs, and area career centers in meeting the grant’s goals. DESE has also partnered with the state’s Regional Professional Development Centers (RPDCs) to provide literacy specialists to further support LEAs. Additionally, TNTP is an RPDC-contracted vendor who will support school administrators and building literacy teams.

Participating Schools Receiving Services