Comprehensive Literacy State Development Grant

The Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) Grant Program is a competitive federal grant from the U.S. Department of Education designed to improve literacy outcomes from birth through grade 12. The program emphasizes the use of evidence-based practices to support the development of literacy skills, including emergent literacy, with a special emphasis on children living in poverty, English learners, and children with disabilities. The grant supports state-level activities over a five-year period and funds four-year local literacy projects through a competitive process.

In September 2020, the Colorado Department of Education was awarded $16 million to launch the Colorado Comprehensive Literacy State Development Project. Building on the success of the initial grant, Colorado received an additional $21 million in September 2024 in a new round of CLSD funding to continue and expand its efforts.

The CLSD Grant provides instructional resources, professional development, technical assistance, and literacy coaching, while helping school districts promote family literacy and build sustainable literacy plans. Ninety-five percent of the funds are distributed directly to districts/subgrantees, with targeted support for Qualified Opportunity Zones and rural areas across Colorado. This funding infrastructure helps districts implement research-based literacy strategies and interventions aligned with local needs.

Subgrant Awards

CLSD 2021 Cohort

This four-year cohort covered the full scope of comprehensive literacy PK-12.

Participants in this cohort include: Aurora Public Schools, Charter School Institute (Community Leadership Academy, Victory Preparatory Academy High), Cherry Creek 5, Harrison 2, Lake County Schools, Lewis-Palmer, Pueblo 70, Sheridan 2, St. Vrain Valley School District, and Telluride School District.

Request for Application 5/21/2021

CLSD 2023 PD Cohort

This two-year cohort focused on a scaled-back scope of work primarily around professional development PK-12.

Participants in this cohort include: Canon City Schools, Charter School Institute (Axis International Academy, Global Village Academy, Ricardo Flores Magón Academy), Delta County, Norwood Schools, South Central BOCES (Aguilar RE 6, Branson RE 82, Cotopaxi RE-3, Crowley County RE-1J, Custer County C1, Fowler R-4J, Hoehne RE 3, Huerfano RE-1, La Veta RE-2, Manzanola 3J, Primero RE-2, Trinidad 1)

Request for Application 5/24/2023

CLSD 2025 Cohort

Applications for the 2025 grant opportunity are under review.

Applicants will receive notification through the GAINS system by the end of the day on Monday, June 2, 2025.

CLSD Request for Application 2025

Managing the CLSD Grant

Mandatory Program Reporting Requirements

CDE is required to conduct both state-level and federal evaluations of the effectiveness of programs and activities funded through the Comprehensive Literacy State Development grant. By accepting CLSD funds, subgrantees agree to participate in all required evaluation and monitoring activities.

Annual grant performance monitoring is required. Grant Partnership Meetings will be held virtually or in person and scheduled in advance.

Participation in data collection surveys to evaluate the grantee progress and the effectiveness of CLSD activities is expected.

Grantees serving the birth-kindergarten entry age band are required to submit four-year-old language data to CDE.

Subgrant recipients are expected to make a good-faith effort to ensure the highest possible student participation in Colorado’s State Tests in English Language Arts. This includes encouraging participation in CMAS for grades 3-8 and PSAT/SAT for grades 9-11, as applicable. Strong participation rates are essential for evaluating program impact and ensuring meaningful data collection.

A local literacy plan must be developed and submitted by the end of Year 1 of the grant.

Budget Submission and Revision

Budgets are submitted in GAINS each year in June for approval of the following school year's planned costs. All budget items must be approved by both the CDE Program and Fiscal Departments prior to funds being spent. Revisions must be submitted for approval if changes need to occur.

Fiscal Requirements

Programs must draw down funds at a minimum of every 4 months and no more than once a month. All funds for each grant year (Years 1-4) must be expended between July 1 and June 30.

The final day to submit reimbursement requests is August 15.

Line 3, Shape Annual Financial Reports (AFR) will be due September 30 each year via the Grant Expenditure Report Submission form.

Changes to Your Project

All activities, policies, and practices must align with CDE's project plan outlined in the RFA and the core intended outcomes of the grant:

Increase oral language skills for 4-year-olds.

The percentage of children served by the CLSD grant prepared for kindergarten ready to read increases 25% as measured by Kindergarten READ Act data

The percentage of students served by the CLSD grant in grades K-3 identified as having a significant reading deficiency (SRD) measured by READ Act interim assessment will decrease by 10%.

The percentage of students served by the CLSD grant in grades 4-5 achieving proficiency increases 20% as measured by CMAS.

The percentage of students served by the CLSD grant in grades 6-8 achieving proficiency increases 20% as measured by CMAS.

The percentage of students served by the CLSD grant in grades 9-11 meeting expectations increases 20% in the Evidence-Based Reading & Writing portion of the PSAT and SAT assessments.

Project and budget modification requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. For any necessary modifications, please contact the CLSD Program Grant Manager via email. All changes must receive prior written approval from CDE before implementation. Modifications made without prior approval will not be reimbursed.

CLSD Contact Information Change Form

If there have been changes to your primary grant and budget contacts, complete the CLSD Contact Information Change Form.

Resources and Professional Learning

[ CLSD Program Grant Manager: Laura Lay ] [ lay_l@cde.state.co.us ] [ 303-868-9822 ]

Schools and districts may set up a meeting through Bookings.

Please note that our team does not meet with vendors.