This article was originally written by Quintessa Williams for Word In Black.
The U.S. Department of Education is awarding $179 million in grants to states that support evidence-based programs to accelerate academic achievement, building on the Biden-Harris Administration’s goal to improve academic achievement nationwide.
The total includes $149 million in new Comprehensive Literacy State Development Grant (CLSD) awards — the largest number of awards ever for this program — and nearly $30 million in Competitive Grants for State Assessments (CGSA) awards.
Nationwide Impact on Black K-12 Students
Biden-Harris’ investment in supporting academic acceleration is a significant step toward potentially improving educational outcomes for Black K-12 students nationwide. This funding focuses on literacy development and the enhancement of state assessment systems, both critical areas where Black students — historically underserved — have faced significant disparities.
With $149 million allocated to the Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) program, Black students could benefit from improved access to high-quality literacy resources. Given that systemic inequities often result in lower literacy rates among Black students, these funds could empower states and school districts to offer targeted support, helping bridge the literacy gap and promote educational equity.
Additionally, the nearly $30 million in Competitive Grants for State Assessments (CGSA) could help create more equitable assessment systems. Black students often face challenges with traditional standardized tests that may not accurately reflect their abilities or provide timely feedback. These new assessment models could offer real-time insights, allowing teachers and parents to better understand and support each student’s academic journey.
Where Will The Grant Funding Be Allocated?
Comprehensive Literacy State Development Grant (CLSD) – $149 Million
The CLSD grants are designed to advance evidence-based literacy practices. The Biden-Harris Administration has awarded over $149 million to 23 state educational agencies.
These funds will help students reach critical literacy milestones — including ensuring that students are reading at grade level by third grade, a key indicator of future academic success. They will also help ensure that every student, particularly those from underserved communities, has access to high-quality literacy instruction and materials.
Additionally, the grants will help fund partnerships between K-12 schools and local universities to provide targeted literacy interventions, early care, and educational support. They will also underwrite tailored support for schools, districts, and early education programs to implement evidence-based literacy instruction, promoting long-term academic achievement.
Competitive Grants for State Assessments (CGSA) – $30 Million
The CGSA grants are focused on developing and implementing high-quality, innovative assessments. Nearly $30 million has been awarded to 10 state educational agencies to help states design more instructional, personalized, and relevant assessments to students’ learning processes, developing assessments tailored to the needs of students with disabilities and multilingual learners.
The grants will also allow states to improve how assessment data is used, making it more practical for teachers, parents, and students to guide academic progress. They will also help create assessment systems that align with state academic standards and focus on measuring high-order thinking skills, ensuring equity and inclusion in the assessment process.
Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona announced the grants as part of the Ed Department’s Back to School Bus Tour. Neera Tanden, one of President Biden’s domestic policy advisors, joined Cardona at the event.
“Literacy is a critical foundation for every student’s success in school and beyond,” Cardona said. “The new funding announced today will help states, school districts, and communities continue to develop and implement evidence-based literacy interventions,” helping to “raise the bar for student academic success, giving every student the best opportunities to succeed,” he added.
We contacted the Department of Education for comment and are waiting to hear back.