The Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) program is authorized under sections 2221-2225 and 2301 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 , as amended (ESEA). The CLSD program awards competitive grants to State educational agencies (SEAs) to improve student academic achievement in reading and writing by providing Federal support to States to develop, revise, or update comprehensive literacy instruction plans that, when implemented, ensure high-quality instruction and effective strategies in reading and writing from early education through grade 12.
CLSD Requirements
When applying for a CLSD grant, SEAs should consider the following application and program requirements:
A State educational agency shall collaborate with the State agency responsible for administering early childhood education programs and the State agency responsible for administering child care programs in the State in writing and implementing the early childhood education portion of the grant application under this subsection.
A needs assessment that analyzes literacy needs across the State and in high-need schools and local educational agencies that serve high-need schools, including identifying the most significant gaps in literacy proficiency and inequities in student access to effective teachers of literacy, considering each of the subgroups of students, as defined in section 1111(c)(2) of the ESEA.
A description of how the State educational agency, in collaboration with the State literacy team, if applicable, will develop a State comprehensive literacy instruction plan or will revise and update an already existing State comprehensive literacy instruction plan.
An implementation plan that includes a description of how the State educational agency will carry out the State activities.
Not less than 15 percent of such grant funds shall be used for State and local programs and activities pertaining to children from birth through kindergarten entry; not less than 40 percent of such grant funds shall be used for State and local programs and activities, allocated equitably among the grades of kindergarten through grade 5; and not less than 40 percent of such grant funds shall be used for State and local programs and activities, allocated equitably among grades 6 through 12.
CLSD funds can only be awarded to an eligible entity. The term 'eligible entity' means an entity that consists of—comprehensive literacy instruction for the age group such program proposes to serve; or
In awarding subgrants to eligible entities in support of birth through kindergarten entry literacy, a State educational agency will give priority to an eligible entity that serves children from birth through age 5 who are from families with income levels at or below 200 percent of the Federal poverty line; or is a local educational agency serving a high number or percentage of high-need schools.
In awarding grants under this section, the State educational agency shall give priority to an eligible entity that will use the grant funds to implement evidence-based activities, defined for the purpose of this subsection as activities meeting the requirements of section 8101(21)(A)(i) of the ESEA. The term 'evidence-based' under Section 8101(21)(A), when used with respect to a State, local educational agency, or school activity, means an activity, strategy, or intervention that— (i) demonstrates a statistically significant effect on improving student outcomes or other relevant outcomes based on— (I) strong evidence from at least 1 well designed and well-implemented experimental study; (II) moderate evidence from at least 1 well designed and well-implemented quasi-experimental study; or (III) promising evidence from at least 1 well designed and well-implemented correlational study with statistical controls for selection bias.
Funds made available under the CLSD program shall be used to supplement, and not supplant, non-Federal funds that would otherwise be used for activities authorized under this title. More information on the
supplement-not-supplant provision can be found under the
Fiscal and Budget Information section of this toolkit.
State-Level Allowable Activities
A State educational agency receiving a grant under this section may reserve not more than 5 percent for activities identified through the needs assessment and comprehensive literacy plan including the following activities:
Providing technical assistance, or engaging qualified providers to provide technical assistance, to eligible entities to enable the eligible entities to design and implement literacy programs;
Coordinating with institutions of higher education in the State to provide recommendations to strengthen and enhance pre-service courses for students preparing to teach children from birth through grade 12 in explicit, systematic, and intensive instruction in evidence-based literacy methods;
Reviewing and updating, in collaboration with teachers and institutions of higher education, State licensure or certification standards in the area of literacy instruction in early education through grade 12;
Making publicly available, including on the State educational agency's website, information on promising instructional practices to improve child literacy achievement;
Administering and monitoring the implementation of subgrants by eligible entities;
Developing literacy coach training programs and training literacy coaches; and
Administration and evaluation of activities carried out under this subpart.
Developing an Application for Subgrants
CLSD grantees are required to subgrant at least 95% of grant funds over the life of the grant to eligible entities . The statutory requirements for making subgrants, including all relevant definitions, can be found in the CLSD Subgrant Application Process Statutory Requirements and Checklist . Grantees can also consult the CLSD Subgrant Application Process Quick Reference Guide for a more condensed version of the checklist.
Along with the statutory requirements, such as the definition for eligible entity , grantees should consider any relevant information from the Notice Inviting Applications (NIA) for their respective cohort, such as competitive preference priorities. In addition, information in the approved application, such as the goals and objectives, and project-specific performance measures, should be reviewed and incorporated into the subgrant application where applicable.
Evidence-Based Activities
The overarching purpose of the CLSD program is to provide support to States to implement evidence-based activities that ensure high-quality comprehensive literacy instruction for students most in need and to improve student academic achievement in reading and writing by developing, revising, or updating comprehensive literacy instruction plans that ensure high-quality instruction and effective strategies in reading and writing from early education through grade 12.
For the purposes of the CLSD program, literacy practices or activities that are strong, moderate, or promising are considered evidence based. For more information on evidence-based practices please see the resources below.
Level of Evidence Definition
Tier 1: Strong Evidence Demonstrates a statistically significant effect on improving student outcomes or other relevant outcomes and is supported by one or more well-designed and well-implemented experimental studies.
Tier 2: Moderate Evidence Demonstrates a statistically significant effect on improving student outcomes or other relevant outcomes and is supported by one or more well-designed and well-implemented quasi-experimental studies.
Tier 3: Promising Evidence Demonstrates a statistically significant effect on improving student outcomes or other relevant outcomes and is supported by one or more well-designed and well-implemented correlational studies with statistical controls for selection bias.
In September 2023, the Department issued Non-Regulatory Guidance: Using Evidence to Strengthen Education Investments (NRG) to provide information to SEAs, LEAs, IHEs, schools, educators, partner organizations, and other partners on selecting, using, and building evidence-based activities, strategies, and interventions, as defined in Title VIII of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended. The Department does not mandate or prescribe practices, models, or other activities in this NRG. This NRG contains examples of, adaptations of, and links to resources created and maintained by other public and private organizations. The information, informed by research and gathered in part from practitioners, is provided for the reader's convenience and is included here to offer examples of the many resources that educators, parents, advocates, administrators, and other concerned parties may find helpful and use at their discretion. The Department does not control or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness of this outside information. Further, the inclusion of links to items and examples do not reflect their importance, nor are they intended to represent or be an endorsement by the Department of any views expressed, or materials provided.
Resources
U.S. Department of Education's Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) program's website The CLSD program is authorized under Sections 2221 — 2225 and 2301 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as amended (ESEA) CLSD Subgrant Application Process Statutory Requirements and Checklist covers the statutory requirements for making subgrants, including all relevant definitions .CLSD Subgrant Application Process Quick Reference Guide for a more condensed version of the Subgrant Application Process Checklist .Subgrant Application Webinar — This webinar was provided to the FY 2024 cohort of grantees in October 2024. The presentation walks grantees through the Subgrant Application Process Checklist.
CLSD National Literacy Center's Fact Sheet on Evidence-Based Practices — This fact sheet covers what evidence-based practices are, why they are important, and how to implement them. Links to helpful resources are also provided.
CLSD National Literacy Center's Professional Learning Module on Evidence-Based Practices — In this module, you'll learn about literacy-related evidence-based practices, including their key components, their importance, and relevant tools and resources for their selection, evaluation, adaptation, and implementation.
U.S. Department of Education Resources on Evidence-Based Practices — This webpage defines evidence-based practices, describes the use of evidence cycle, and provides links to additional resources.What Works Clearinghouse — IES's What Works Clearinghouse links to prescreened, high-quality educational materials from thousands of sources.Evidence for ESSA — This site provides information on programs that meet Federal evidence standards and enables educators and communities to select effective educational tools to improve student success.CLSD National Literacy Center's State Literacy Plan Tools and Resources — The tools on this page are designed to support State educational agencies through the State literacy plan development or revision process. The page includes a Starter Kit, Self-Assessment Tool, supporting documents, and links to helpful resources.
