Delaware announces new Bridge to Practice grant to strengthen early literacy

Secretary of Education Cindy Marten today announced a major new investment to strengthen and accelerate early literacy success across Delaware: The Bridge to Practice competitive grant. This initiative is designed to ensure that every child in Delaware is reading on grade level by the end of third grade - a milestone that sets the course for lifelong success.

Part of Governor Meyer's statewide literacy investment, the Bridge to Practice grant will help districts and charter schools implement evidence-based literacy practices grounded in the Science of Reading. Funding will focus on what matters most: adoption and skillful use of high-quality classroom instructional materials, professional learning and student-centered coaching for educators, and innovative staffing models that increase student engagement and success.

"This investment reflects our promise to equip every teacher with the tools and training they need to grow strong readers, writers, and thinkers," Marten said. "By focusing on early literacy, we are building a foundation for lifelong success for all students."

Key Priorities

Projects funded through this opportunity will prioritize:

• Comprehensive Training: All PK-3 teachers completing LETRS (Volume I and II) or AIM Pathways to Proficient Reading (PPR) training by the start of the 2027-2028 school year.

• Professional Learning: Expanding professional learning aligned to high-quality early literacy instructional materials.

• Leadership Development: Participation in the Early Literacy Leadership Academy (ELLA) for key literacy leaders.

• Innovative Staffing: Exploring and piloting the Next Education Workforce™ model to create stronger instructional teams and collaboration.

• Student-Centered Coaching: Providing educators with personalized support to meet every child's needs.
• Progress Monitoring: Using Delaware's Implementation Dashboard to measure skillful use of adopted materials.

Eligibility and priority

Up to $7.2 million is available. All districts and charter schools are eligible to apply with priority given to schools identified for school improvement (TSI/CSI) and those with adopted instructional materials aligned to the Science of Reading. Those piloting materials will be considered as well.

Timeline

• Grant Released: September 26, 2025
• Informational Session: October 7, 2025
• Intent to Apply Due: October 13, 2025
• Applications Due: November 14, 2025
• Award notifications: on or near December 19, 2025
• Funding availability: through June 30, 2026.

"This is a chance for schools and districts to build sustainable systems that raise literacy achievement and transform instruction across Delaware," Marten said. "When we invest in teachers, we invest in students. And when we get literacy right everything else becomes possible."

Media contact: Alison May, [email protected], 302-735-4006