New Jersey Department of Education Secures $50 Million Federal Grant to Boost Literacy Programs

The U.S. Department of Education awards New Jersey the largest Year 1 grant in its Comprehensive Literacy State Development initiative to enhance literacy across the state.

The New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) has been awarded a $50 million grant over five years from the U.S. Department of Education as part of the Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) initiative. This funding aims to advance literacy skills — from pre-literacy to reading and writing — for students throughout their academic journey, with a focus on addressing achievement and opportunity gaps.

“New Jersey has always been a leader in education, and this grant from the U.S. Department of Education is a powerful affirmation of our commitment to excellence,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “The grant will supercharge our critical investment into the future of our students and our state. By enhancing literacy programs and providing equitable access to high-quality education, we are not only helping our children reach key academic milestones but also setting them up for lifelong success.”

New Jersey is one of 23 states to receive this funding and has been granted the largest award in the first year of the program’s most significant funding round to date. The CLSD grant will support the expansion of evidence-based literacy programs, with the goal of ensuring students meet critical milestones, such as reading at grade level by third grade, a key indicator of long-term academic success.

“We are thrilled to receive this significant funding to enhance literacy initiatives across New Jersey,” said Acting Commissioner of Education Kevin Dehmer. “On the heels of Governor Murphy’s enactment of new literacy initiatives last month, this grant builds on the Administration’s deep commitment to literacy education with comprehensive, PK-12 supports ranging from implementing evidence-based literacy programs to high-quality professional development. This grant represents a tremendous opportunity for us to deepen our commitment to literacy as a cornerstone to all student learning, while ensuring every student has access to the resources they need to become strong, confident readers.”

The initiative will also prioritize equitable access to high-quality literacy instruction for historically underserved students. As part of the grant's objectives, the NJDOE will establish an advisory council dedicated to developing a comprehensive state literacy plan, implement a statewide coaching network, and provide subgrants to high-need school districts for professional learning focused on evidence-based reading instruction.

“This investment by the U.S. Department of Education in foundational literacy initiatives will help to ensure every child in New Jersey has an effective, quality education from day one that pushes them to achieve their academic and economic potential,” said Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz. “This funding will bolster the efforts of my bills that established the Working Group on Student Literacy to develop evidence-based literacy strategies and screenings and will empower the Office of Learning Equity and Academic Recovery to ensure that every New Jersey school is equipped with the necessary resources for student growth and achievement. The best investment we can make is in our children, and I thank the Biden-Harris Administration for their commitment to enhancing student success.”

This federal grant aligns with the Biden-Harris Administration’s national efforts to accelerate academic progress and improve educational outcomes. Through this funding, New Jersey will continue to collaborate with higher education institutions and educational partners to foster innovative literacy programs that support both students and educators.

The NJDOE's efforts through the CLSD grant will play a pivotal role in closing literacy achievement gaps and ensuring all students across the state have access to the tools they need for academic success.