Literacy Grants and Legislation
LETRS: Literacy Essentials for Teachers of Reading & Spelling
LETRS Cohort 14 Open Enrollment
Join over 12,000 of your fellow educators in Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS) training. Registration for Cohort 14 is open April 13, 2026 – August 30, 2026. Training for Cohort 14 will start in November 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.
Elevate Literacy Outcomes with the Michigan Leaders District Success Partnership
We are excited to share a prestigious professional opportunity designed to accelerate literacy achievement across Michigan. The Michigan Leaders District Success Partnership is now accepting applications from forward-thinking educational leaders.
This exclusive two-year partnership with Lexia provides participating districts with comprehensive, custom supports tailored to meet your unique instructional needs. Please note that this partnership is limited to the first 50 public school districts or public school academies (PSAs) that apply and fulfill the established criteria.
As this is a first-come, first-served opportunity, we encourage you to review the application and submit your interest promptly to secure your district's placement in this transformative initiative. Please direct any questions to 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 June 18th - June State Aid payment
• Submit and approved by July 20th - June State Aid payment
There is no September State Aid payment, July 20th is the absolute latest a budget can be submitted for approval.
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 Grant (FY 26)
The 2025-26 Section 35m Committee for Literacy Achievement / HQ Literacy Materials Grant application is open in NexSys May 8 at 10am ET to June 12, 2026 at 5pm ET.
Districts can apply for funding from one of the following categories: Tier 1, Assessment, Intervention or Professional Development. The Evidence-based Tier-1, Class-wide Elementary Reading Curricula list released in December 2025 and assessments that were approved and included on the March 2026 K-3 Valid and Reliable Screening and Progress Monitoring Assessments List are eligible for Section 35m FY 26 funding . Any items added to either list during later review cycles, will not be eligible for Section 35m FY 26 funding.
Please note: This is a formula grant that includes both a base allocation and a Pre-K to 12 per-pupil amount (based on fall 2025 certified count). After the department has determined the per-pupil formula based on the number of applicants, districts and ISDs will be notified through NexSys that modifications are required. Modifications will be required for all applications. This step will be the entry point to allow districts and ISDs to create their budget in NexSys for approval.
For more information including the Section 35m Application Checklist, FY 26 Section 35m FAQs and the approved lists, please visit the Section 35m webpage.
Please direct any questions to MDE-EarlyLiteracy@michigan.gov.
K-12 Literacy and Dyslexia Law (PA 146)
Michigan's Assessment and Curricula Lists Are Available!
Visit our MDE Literacy Lists web page to explore the PA 146 Assessment and Curricula Lists. These lists provide districts with vetted tools and resources for supporting high‑quality screening, intervention, and instructional decision‑making. Ongoing submission and reviews will continue through December 2026.
The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) has opened additional requests for submissions (RFS) for valid and reliable screening and progress monitoring assessments as well as evidence-based tier-1, class-wide, elementary, reading curricula. The RFS for each will remain open until September 2026. All vendors/literacy partners are encouraged to apply. Please note MDE will make public all submissions reviewed along with the consensus/scoring documents. Vendor Resources for the RFS are located on the K-12 Literacy and Dyslexia Law webpage.
MI K-12 Literacy Coaching Model - Phase 2 is Underway!
The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) has completed Phase 1 of MCL 380.1280f, the K-12 Literacy and Dyslexia Law, (PA 146), Section (1)(b) mandate to “[r]ecommend or develop a literacy coach model…” Phase 1 of the K-12 Coaching Model work focused on: reading and understanding the legislative outline and mandates of PA 146; identifying the unique needs of Michigan’s educators and students; building the internal capacity and foundation of knowledge in order to fulfill mandates; clarifying goals, establishing processes, and preparing internal teams to move into broader collaborative work.
Phase 2 is now underway, and educators and educational organizations across the state have joined the MI K-12 Literacy Coaching Model Committee. Committee members have a variety of personal and professional backgrounds, a multitude of experience in all facets of K-12 literacy and education and represent every region in Michigan. The Committee’s next step is to review existing K–12 literacy coaching models to determine if there is at least one that best supports Michigan’s PA 146, educators, and students. This collaborative review may lead to a recommended model for K–12 educators statewide.
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.
Members of the MDE Literacy Unit are excited to be presenting at the Washtenaw ISD Dyslexia Bootcamp on June 25, 2026! We will be conducting a deep dive of the Michigan Dyslexia Handbook and exploring its alignment with the K-12 Literacy and Dyslexia Law.
MiMTSS TA Center Professional Learning Offerings: Professional Learning Page
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.
MiMTSS TA Center Professional Learning Offerings: Structured Literacy Series
MiMTSS 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.
MiMTSS TA Center Professional Learning Offerings: Bringing LETRS to Life Vol. 1 and Vol. 2
Grounded in the 'why' behind effective instruction, this session deepens participants’ understanding of LETRS research and emphasizes the practical application of that knowledge in the classroom. By connecting reading science to practical lesson planning, educators will be ready to provide students with the instruction needed to become confident, successful readers.
Find out more and register: Bringing LETRS to Life.
From creating cozy reading spots and exploring Michigan‑themed books to joining library programs, the MDE encourages educators, students, and families to celebrate reading in all its forms to help keep students engaged all summer!
- Create a “Summer Reading Spot” indoors or outside
- Visit your local library and consider getting a library card
- Consider joining your local library’s Summer Reading Program
- Try setting a personal reading challenge or goal
- Listen to audiobooks on car rides or while outside
- Keep a reading journal
- Invite older students to read with younger siblings or neighbors
- Explore Michigan‑themed books and/or books written by Michigan authors
- Choose high‑interest texts in a variety of formats
- Celebrate “reading everywhere”—cookbooks, signs, maps, game guides, closed captions, etc!
Thank you for your dedication to transforming literacy instruction across Michigan. PA 146 represents a momentous shift toward prevention, equity, and the scientific foundation of reading instruction. Your leadership and commitment are already reshaping the landscape of literacy for all students.
We look forward to continuing to send monthly newsletters as we progress in this important work. Enjoy a restful and rejuvenating summer!
MDE Literacy Webpage
Visit the Michigan Department of Education’s Literacy Webpage to learn more about literacy efforts across the state; the K-12 Literacy and Dyslexia Law, and Professional Learning pages will continue to be updated.
Literacy Unit Listserv
Keep up to date on our most current information by subscribing to the Michigan Department of Education listserv. You can subscribe to literacy as well as other MDE communications you may be interested in.
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