The Newport Independent School District has been awarded a nearly $2 million federal literacy grant that will utilize new programs, books and technology to increase the reading proficiency of students in pre-school through high school.
Newport was one of just 29 recipients nationwide of the Innovative Approaches to Literacy grants awarded by the U.S. Department of Education. Newport’s grant of $1,938,845 over two years is approximately $500,000 more than any other school district in the country.
“Reading is the most fundamental academic skill our children need to master to become successful in school and in life, said U.S. Secretary of Education John B. King Jr. said in a press release announcing the grants. “Access to books and proven literacy instruction are critical to narrowing the achievement gap in education to help children thrive.”
Newport’s grant was written by District Curriculum Coordinator Diane Hatfield and Paul Baker, the district’s grant writer.
The goal is to increase by 30 percent, the number of pre-kindergarten through 12th-grade students who gain proficiency in reading and/or language arts. Another goal is to increase the number of pre-K students who are ready for kindergarten based upon their oral language skills by 35 percent.
“We are excited to receive this grant funding, which will provide significant 21st Century literacy and technology resources for students across our school district, said Hatfield.
Newport Independent School District Superintendent Kelly Middleton said the efforts of the grant-writing team have resulted in millions of dollars in federal, state and private grant money coming to the district over the last few years.
“In our district, our hard-working teachers, staff and administrators do a tremendous job utilizing and attracting resources,” Middleton said. “Diane and Paul have a long track-record of using their skills and knowledge of grant writing to put more resources, materials, books, technology and more where they belong – in the hands of the teachers who are teaching our kids.”
Newport’s literacy project has the following objectives:
- Increase literacy resources – in both complexity and content – in the library media centers and home environment to help prepare and motivate children to read;
- Provide high-quality, family-focused literacy activities during the school day and after that are focused on meaningful opportunities for parental engagement;
- With ongoing support from community partners, provide appropriate educational interventions for students;
- Utilize the “universal design for learning” framework, provide joint professional development to library media specialists and teachers to expand “cross collaboration,” and effectively support reading/writing instruction and student achievement;
- Increase home internet access for students and expand e-resources provided through library media centers to support technology-rich literacy activities and services aligned with Kentucky Department of Education college- and career-readiness standards.
Newport will use the grant money to provide books including e-books to students; enhance the digital offerings in the district’s school libraries; purchase iPads for students; and increase staff professional development.
Newport Independent Schools