Literacy Grants and Legislation
LETRS: Literacy Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling
Join over 12,000 of your fellow educators in Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS) training. Registration for Cohort 13 is open December 1, 2025 – April 12, 2026. Training for Cohort 13 will start in June 2026.
For more information, including registration links, eligibility requirements, and FAQs, please visit the Michigan LETRS website. If you have any questions regarding LETRS training, please contact MDE-LETRS@michigan.gov.
Section 35m Grant (FY 25)
Budgets Due!
Districts that submitted an initial application in NexSys for FY 25 Section 35m grant funds must submit a budget in NexSys for approval by one of the following dates to receive funds in the corresponding state aid payment:
• Submit and approved by February 20th – March State Aid payment
• Submit and approved by March 20th - April State Aid payment
• Submit and approved by April 17th - May State Aid payment
Please note: all Section 35m funds must be expended or returned by September 30, 2026. Section 35m does not allow for carryover of grant funds. Please refer to the Section 35m FAQs for more information.
Section 35m (FY 26) process and guidance will be released in the spring of 2026.
K-12 Literacy and Dyslexia Law (PA 146) Timeline
 Michigan's Assessment and Curricula Lists Are Now Available!
The K-12 Literacy and Dyslexia Law (Public Act 146) requires that:
"By not later than January 1, 2026, the department shall publish a list of evidence-based tier 1, class-wide elementary reading curricula and materials that are aligned with the science of reading methods that research has shown to improve literacy outcomes and help pupils achieve reading proficiency" [and] “...provide a list of approved valid and reliable screening and progress monitoring reading assessments for selection and use by school districts and public-school academies.”
On December 18, 2025, the PA 146 Assessment and Curricula Lists were released, providing districts with vetted tools and resources aligned to Michigan’s dyslexia legislation. These lists offer guidance to support high‑quality screening, intervention, and instructional decision‑making. Ongoing submission and reviews will continue through December 2026. For additional information please visit the K-12 Literacy and Dyslexia Law webpage.
NEW! PA 146 Professional Learning Resources
In support of the K-12 Literacy and Dyslexia Law (PA 146) Professional Learning requirements in section 7a-f, MDE has released the “PA 146 Professional Learning Resources” document which is now available on the MDE Literacy-Professional Learning webpage.
(7) By not later than the beginning of the 2027-2028 school year, each school district, intermediate school district, and public school academy shall provide assurance to the department that all literacy consultants, literacy coaches, and other personnel providing reading intervention or reading instruction to grades K to 12 pupils in the school district, intermediate school district, or public school academy received professional learning, as determined by the department, regarding all of the following:
(a) The characteristics of dyslexia and underlying factors that place pupils at risk for difficulties in learning to decode accurately and efficiently.
(b) Secondary consequences of dyslexia, such as problems in reading comprehension and a reduced reading experience that can impede the growth of vocabulary and background knowledge and lead to social, emotional, and behavioral difficulties.
(c) Instructional adjustments for pupils with dyslexia and instructional adjustments to address the underlying factors that place pupils at risk for difficulties in learning to decode accurately and efficiently.
(d) Methods to develop schoolwide and classroom infrastructure to meet the collective and individual needs of pupils using a multi-tiered system of support (MTSS).
(e) Evidence-based instructional methods and features of evidence-based interventions that are grounded in the science of reading and principles of structured literacy that are designed for pupils with characteristics of dyslexia and pupils at risk for difficulties in learning to decode accurately and efficiently.
(f) Evidence-based instructional methods and features of evidence-based interventions that are grounded in the science of reading and principles of structured literacy that are designed to effectively meet the needs of most pupils.
MiMTSS TA Center Professional Learning Offerings
The MDE Literacy Unit continues to partner with the MiMTSS TA center to offer technical assistance through training and presentations. For MiMTSS TA Center offerings please visit the MiMTSS TA Center’s Professional Learning Page.
Structured Literacy Series
Most recently, the MiMTSS TA Center hosted a five-part Structured Literacy Series to support the K-12 Literacy and Dyslexia Law/PA 146 professional learning. You can also find this series linked on the MDE Literacy-Professional Learning webpage.
LETRS Power Hour!
Are you ready to further apply your learning from LETRS Volume 1 to your classroom? Please join the MiMTSS TA Center for LETRS Power Hours! These dynamic 1-hour sessions will expand and deepen the knowledge you gained from Volume 1, while offering practical application strategies for your elementary classroom. Each interactive session will focus on validated, evidence-based instructional strategies used in classrooms to foster active participation, in addition to helping teachers select and organize critical content in their curricula. We will explore effective strategies to PLAN lessons, TEACH skills, and PRACTICE, designing guided and independent opportunities for learners to apply their knowledge. Find out more and register: LETRS Volume 1 Power Hour Series hosting sessions from 4:30-6:00PM on the following dates: 2/11/26, 2/23/26, and 3/18/26.
MDE Reads! MDE Guest Reader Request: Sign Up Today!
We are gearing up for March is Reading Month 2026! Back by popular demand, staff from the MDE are heading to a K-12 location near you through the “MDE Reads!” initiative. Schools have the opportunity to invite a guest reader from the MDE to join their classroom communities for a read aloud during the month of March. Schools can select a text to be read aloud by the MDE guest reader, or have the MDE guest reader select a text. To participate in “MDE Reads!” Please complete the MDE Guest Reader Request Form by 5:00pm EST on Friday, February 13th - details will be coordinated once the request form is submitted.
MDE Literacy Webpage
Visit the Michigan Department of Education’s Literacy Webpage to learn more about literacy efforts across the state.
Literacy Unit Listserv
Keep up to date on our most current information by subscribing to our Listserve. Michigan Department of Education listserve. You can subscribe to literacy as well as other MDE communications you may be interested in.
Contact Us
Email:
MDE-Literacy-Dyslexia@Michigan.gov
MDE-EarlyLiteracy@Michigan.gov
MDE-LETRS@michigan.gov
Literacy Unit:
DeNesha Rawls-Smith, Literacy Unit Manager RawlsSmithD@michigan.gov
Kellie Flaminio, Grant Analyst Flaminiok@michigan.gov
Katy Dennis, Consultant DennisK3@michigan.gov
Rebecca S. Young, Consultant YoungR16@michigan.gov
Sandy Youngert, Consultant YoungertS@michigan.gov
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