Pennsylvania Awards $36.1 Million to Strengthen Literacy Programs

HARRISBURG, Pa., May 23, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Secretary of Education Ron Tomalis today announced that more than $36.1 million in federal funding has been awarded to 56 local education agencies to support literacy programs for students from birth through 12th grade.

The Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy grant, also referred to as the Keystones to Opportunity grant, is a five-year, competitive federal grant program designed to assist local education agencies in developing and implementing local comprehensive literacy plans. 

"I applaud these schools for securing funding to ensure that students have the essential skills to succeed academically," Tomalis said. "Literacy programs help to improve student reading and comprehension, which could result in higher academic achievement."

This grant program will support Pennsylvania's comprehensive approach to improving literacy outcomes for all children, including disadvantaged students, limited English proficiency students and students with disabilities.

This funding will provide the necessary tools to foster 21st century literacy environments where children can develop the reading, writing, speaking, listening and language skills they need to succeed academically.

A total of 149 school districts submitted grant applications.

As one of only six states to receive funding for the first year, Pennsylvania was awarded a total of $38.6 million by the U.S. Department of Education. The grant requires that 95 percent of the award must be driven out to local education agencies.

Funds for the second year are pending release by the federal government, and funding for years three through five is contingent upon the availability of federal funds.

In less than one year, Pennsylvania has been awarded more than $80 million in federal funds to improve educational opportunities for students.

Media Contact: Tim Eller, 717-783-9802 

Editor's Note: Below is the list of grantees by county and the amount awarded for year one:

Allegheny County
McKeesport Area School District, $529,260
Northgate School District, $710,746
Pittsburgh School District, $1,983,014
Steel Valley School District, $620,870
Urban Pathways K-5 College Charter School, $258,312
Wilkinsburg Borough School District, $886,696
Woodland Hills School District, $807,940

Beaver County
Aliquippa School District, $1 million

Bedford County
Bedford Area School District, $349,947

Blair County
Altoona Area School District, $1.5 million
Tyrone Area School District, $142,214

Bradford County
Towanda Area School District, $681,372

Bucks County
Bristol Township School District, $601,710

Cambria County
Penn Cambria School District, $280,332
Westmont Hilltop School District, $41,157

Chester County
Coatesville Area School District, $1 million

Clarion County
Allegheny-Clarion Valley School District, $739,252

Clearfield County
Clearfield Area School District, $70,258
Curwensville Area School District, $365,004
Glendale School District, $652,176
Harmony Area School District, $119,018
Philipsburg-Osceola Area School District, $654,514

Delaware County
Chester Community Charter School, $553,294
Chichester School District, $1 million
Interboro School District, $742,903

Erie County
Girard School District, $59,691

Franklin County
Greencastle-Antrim School District, $996,048

Greene County
Central Greene School District, $435,739

Huntingdon County
Mount Union Area School District, $327,336
Southern Huntingdon County School District, $977,477

Indiana County
Blairsville-Saltsburg School District, $852,662

Jefferson County
Brookville Area School District, $724,085

Lackawanna County
Carbondale Area School District, $749,003

Lancaster County
Conestoga Valley School District, $985,891
Hempfield School District, $999,841
Manheim Central School District, $1 million
Solanco School District, $443,069

Lawrence County
Laurel School District, $458,542

Luzerne County
Wilkes-Barre Area School District, $632,733

Lycoming County
Williamsport Area School District, $569,904

Mckean County
Bradford Area School District, $879,250
Otto-Eldred School District, $307,985
Port Allegany School District, $452,548

Mifflin County
Mifflin County School District, $1.5 million

Monroe County
East Stroudsburg Area School District, $215,965
Pleasant Valley School District, $221,024

Montgomery County
North Penn School District, $1,174,404

Northampton County
Easton Area School District, $529,963
Northampton Area School District, $647,727

Northumberland County
Milton Area School District, $441,867

Perry County
West Perry School District, $756,516

Potter County
Austin Area School District, $276,518

Snyder County
Selinsgrove Area School District, $826,148

Somerset County
North Star School District, $439,696

Westmoreland County
Derry Area School District, $964,247
New Kensington-Arnold School District, $58,000

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Education