Author Archives: Helen Russell
University of South Florida Receives $4.8 Million to Improve Literacy for Young English Learners
The University of South Florida has secured a five-year federal grant to strengthen early literacy instruction for multilingual children across Tampa Bay. The STEEPLE-EL initiative will prepare approximately 110 educators, train 30 educational leaders, and investigate how research-based teaching practices can improve learning from preschool through third grade.
Tampa, Florida — The University of South Florida (USF) has received a $4.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to … Read the rest
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South Carolina Brings Science of Reading Training to 15 Universities
Faculty from 15 public and private colleges and universities gathered in Columbia to strengthen evidence-based literacy instruction for future teachers. The statewide initiative connects teacher preparation, structured reading instruction, and classroom partnerships as South Carolina reports improving school performance.
Columbia, South Carolina — South Carolina is expanding its efforts to improve early literacy by bringing faculty from 15 public and private colleges and universities together to strengthen how future teachers … Read the rest
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Preschool Special Education Investment in NYC
Preschool Special Education investment in New York City moved from budget language into classroom planning on July 14, 2026, when the city announced new funding for expanded services in public Pre-K settings. For teachers and parents, the practical question is not only how much money was added, but how those funds may affect evaluations, classroom placements, IEP support, staffing, and communication with families.
The announcement mattered because preschool is often … Read the rest
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University of Illinois Receives $1.87 Million to Connect Writing and Reading Instruction
University of Illinois researcher Meaghan McKenna is leading a five-year federal project to develop technology-supported writing instruction for kindergarten and first-grade students, with the goal of strengthening both writing and reading skills.
Urbana-Champaign, Illinois — The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has received a $1.87 million federal grant to develop and evaluate an innovative educational technology program connecting early writing instruction with children’s reading development.
Announced on October 6, 2026, the … Read the rest
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Drexel University Receives $3.3 Million to Launch a National Literacy Research Hub
Drexel University’s new ALLIED Hub in Philadelphia aims to connect reading science, educational leadership, teacher development, and community resources to improve literacy outcomes across the United States.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania — Drexel University has received a $3.3 million federal education grant to support a new national literacy initiative designed to help schools turn reading research into effective classroom instruction.
The university announced the funding on October 13, 2026, ahead of the … Read the rest
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New Mexico Secures More Than $44 Million to Improve Literacy, Teacher Recruitment, and Schools
Five federal education grants will expand reading tutoring, create new pathways into teaching, strengthen school leadership, improve student assessments, and connect classroom learning with career opportunities across New Mexico.
New Mexico has secured more than $44.2 million in federal education funding to address some of its most persistent public-school challenges, including reading difficulties, teacher shortages, and unequal access to educational opportunities in rural and tribal communities.
On October 20, 2026, … Read the rest
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University of Houston Receives $1.25 Million to Train 42 Teachers in Dyslexia and Reading Intervention
The University of Houston’s new Project BRIDGE initiative will provide specialized graduate training for 42 Houston-area educators, combining structured literacy, dyslexia intervention, and special education to strengthen support for students with reading difficulties.
The University of Houston has received a $1.25 million federal grant to launch Project BRIDGE, a five-year initiative designed to prepare 42 Houston-area educators to deliver specialized reading instruction to students with dyslexia and other learning … Read the rest
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New Jersey Inclusion Project Teacher Toolkit
The New Jersey Inclusion Project gives teachers, school leaders, families, and community partners a timely structure for improving inclusive education during the 2026-2027 school year. As of October 28, 2026, the initiative is in Year 1 of a three-year cycle and runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. For schools trying to move inclusion from a stated value into daily practice, the useful question is practical: how can … Read the rest
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Pennsylvania Awards $10 Million to Bring Structured Literacy Into 54 Schools
Pennsylvania is investing in evidence-based reading instruction, teacher training, and early literacy screening as 54 schools across 21 counties prepare for new statewide requirements. The $10 million initiative could reshape how elementary students learn to read.
Pennsylvania is taking another significant step toward improving childhood reading achievement. On October 19, 2026, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) announced $10 million in structured literacy grants for 54 schools across 21 counties, … Read the rest
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Should Head Start Classrooms Teach Exclusively in English? Puerto Rico’s Early Education Debate
The language children hear in their earliest classrooms can shape how they communicate, build relationships, and begin learning to read. In Puerto Rico, where Spanish is the dominant language in everyday life, a debate over whether federally funded Head Start programs should teach exclusively in English has raised important questions about early childhood education, bilingual learning, and equitable access to educational services.
An Associated Press report published in October 2026 … Read the rest
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