$3 Million Grant For Pilot Program In Chesco, Nearby School Districts

CHESTER COUNTY, PA — A local state lawmaker has helped secure a $3 million grant that will go toward the creation of a structured literacy and Science of Reading pilot program at school districts throughout Montgomery, Chester and Berks Counties.

The grant, which was announced by the office of State Sen. Katie Muth, D-44, will be funded through Pennsylvania's allocation of American Rescue Plan Act money.

It will be distributed through the Chester County Intermediate Unit, which will help facilitate the program for the eligible districts in the three counties.

The districts are Coatesville, Downingtown, Great Valley, Octorara, Owen J. Roberts, Phoenixville and Twin Valley in Chester County; Methacton, Norristown, Perkiomen Valley, Pottsgrove and Spring-Ford in Montgomery County; and Boyertown and Daniel Boone in Berks County.

"This funding is such an exciting announcement for our schools, our students, and our educators across Senate District 44," Muth said in a statement. "We all know that a great teacher can make an impact that could change a child's life — these structured literacy and Science of Reading programs will build a network of highly-skilled educators throughout our region."

The Science of Reading is a "vast, interdisciplinary body of scientifically-based research about reading and issues related to reading and writing," according to The Reading League.

Muth, who joined with other elected officials, as well school administrators, teachers and advocates to announce the large grant funding on Monday, says that she has heard many "heartbreaking stories" about students with negative beliefs about their own scholastic abilities and that society should be working to help the youngsters overcome their own challenges and perceived obstacles.

Kate Mayer, cofounder of Everyone Reads PA, said in a statement that ensuring that 95% of schoolchildren learn how to read requires a "systemic, data-driven shift that includes all stakeholders."

"With a commitment to collaboration and high expectations for our kids we can achieve instructional equity across communities in Pennsylvania," Mayer stated. "Senator Muth's initiative will make it possible for schools in her district to make the shift necessary to ensure all kids in District 44 learn to read and write proficiently."

The pilot program is expected to include four areas of concentration and the eligible school districts have the ability to choose different programming options that best suit their needs.
The different areas are systemwide Science of Reading implementation, access to literacy screening tools, literacy support programming, and professional development and teacher certification.