Updated Content - Early Literacy Success School District Grant Application Template and Guidance

To: EII Integrated Communications, Charter School Leaders, K-12 Public Information Officers, Superintendents, Curriculum Directors
From: Dr. Charlene Williams, Director, Oregon Department of Education
Date: October 30, 2023
Re: Updated Content - Early Literacy Success School District Grant Application Template and Guidance

Dear Education Partners,

Today we’re sharing updates to the Early Literacy Success School District Grant Application Template and Guidance as well as new materials to assist with the Early Literacy Success School District Grant Application, all of which are posted on ODE’s Early Literacy Success Initiative webpage.

Updates to Guidance & Application Documents for the Jumpstart Biennium

Updates to any of the previously released documents are identified in change tables included in each document and are summarized below.

• The Application Planning Template and Guidance include language clarifying: 
• What is required of allowable use planning, reporting and implementation; 
• What is required for the communication plan; and
• Clarification on reporting requirements for professional development and coaching.
• The Program Review Tool now includes additional indicators to reflect robust assessment practices and supporting students with disabilities. 

New Resources

To support applicants, we have also developed the following new materials:

• 11 Steps to Submit an Application
• An Early Literacy Success School District Grant FAQ, which will be updated periodically with the date of publication noted on the website. 

Reminder: Key Application Dates

• The submission window opens on December 1, 2023 and closes on January 8, 2024. 
• Applicants can backdate expenditures to October 1, 2023.
• Board minutes can be submitted through February 28th, 2024.

Bonus FAQ: Where is ODE in the permanent rulemaking process?

ODE has actively convened a literacy-focused rulemaking advisory that has 50 participants from at least 19 counties. The group has met twice and will begin to look at the first draft of rules at their next meeting. This advisory group will inform recommendations that then go to ODE’s formal Rules Advisory Committee and then to the State Board of Education. Permanent rulemaking that would provide any specificity related to implementation is anticipated to come to completion in January to March of 2024 and will inform full alignment with Integrated Guidance and could also impact the second year of implementation in this biennium.

Questions?

• For questions regarding grant administration, please email ode.eii@ode.oregon.gov.
• For questions regarding the application, guidance, or Oregon’s Early Literacy Framework, please contact K5.literacy@ode.oregon.gov. 
• All district and eligible charter school resources and related materials will be updated on the Early Literacy Success Initiative website. 

When the Early Literacy Success School District Grant Application Template and Guidance was initially shared on September 29, 2023, we outlined the context and process for applying, and these remain unchanged.