The New Mexico Public Education Department partners with educators, communities, and families to ensure that all students are healthy, secure in their identity, and holistically prepared for college, career, and life.
In taking active steps toward the realization of this vision statewide, The New Mexico Public Education Department (PED) applied and was awarded a $40 million Comprehensive Literacy State Development Grant (CLSD) from the U.S. Department of Education. The state will award approximately $38 million to New Mexico communities to support local literacy efforts, with the remaining funds devoted to statewide training and technical assistance to support local grantees as they provide highly qualified personnel and high quality instructional materials.
The overall goal of the CLSD grant is to improve the pre-literacy skills of children under 5 years of age and significantly increase the percentage of elementary, middle, and high school students meeting the state’s language and literacy standards especially disadvantaged/traditionally and underserved children. Specifically, the CLSD will support early language and literacy skills for children birth to age 5, increase the number of children reading on grade level by the end of third grade, and boost reading proficiencies for students grade 4-12. Sub grantees must improve early literacy and literacy outcomes for all students across the birth through grade 12 educational continuum; support the continuum of language, emergent literacy, and literacy skills for children from birth through grade 12 using interventions with solid evidence of effectiveness.
The grant opportunity prioritizes LEAs working with underserved children, especially those living in poverty and in rural areas, English learners, and children with disabilities. PED is requesting applications for a five-year grant period that will start in February 2020 and end in June 2024. Progress towards goals will be evaluated each year as part of the state and local continuous improvement process. A review and impact of awarded funds in relation to proficiency level increase during the academic year will be considered annually. Funding will be awarded annually after review. Districts awarded a sub-grant with persistent and/or extended non-compliant grant activities may be terminated from the sub-grant. The Bureau will closely monitor for any findings or compliance issues.
CLSD Application Appendices (Excel)
New Mexico Comprehensive Literacy State Development Grant (CLSD) Webinar PDF
New Mexico Comprehensive Literacy State Development Grant (CLSD) Webinar Video
New Mexico Comprehensive Literacy State Development Grant (CLSD) Webinar FAQ
Helpful Links for Determining Evidence Based Assessments and Programs
Application Submission Deadline
| Date | Action | By Whom |
|---|---|---|
| November 20, 2019 | Request for Applications Released | PED |
| Nov 20 – December 19, 2019 | Application Development | Applicant |
| December 20, 2019 | Application Submission | Applicant |
| December 23, 2019- January 17, 2020 | Application Review Period | Internal and External Review Team |
| January 2020 | Notification of Award | PED |
| February 2020 – June 2024 | Implementation | Applicant |
Applications must be submitted via email* to CLSD.literacy@state.nm.us by 5:00 pm Mountain Daylight Time (MDT) on December 20, 2019.
* Any applications not submitted to CLSD.literacy@state.nm.us will not be considered for funding.