Thirty-eight Georgia school districts have been awarded Literacy for Learning, Living, and Leading in Georgia grants by the Georgia Department of Education, State School Superintendent Richard Woods announced. The goal of the L4GA initiative is to improve student literacy learning.

Georgia was awarded a total of $61,579,800 through the federal Striving Readers grant competition. Ninety-five percent of funds are sub-granted to 38 districts. These funds are allocated for students in schools within a feeder system (including birth-age 5 childcare providers and elementary, middle, and high schools). All awarded districts have community-school partnerships with local organizations, the Regional Education Service Agencies, and teacher preparation programs to collectively improve literacy outcomes.

Sub-granted districts and their community partners were selected through an independent, competitive sub-grant process; they were chosen based on the strength of their applications. The Georgia Department of Education awarded funds to effectively improve outcomes for the largest possible population of Georgia’s students, and the broader L4GA initiative will provide support (including professional learning) for all Georgia school districts.

“It’s a great day for literacy in Georgia,” State School Superintendent Richard Woods. “I am confident the $61 million Georgia is now able to invest in local schools and communities to support literacy will impact the lives of thousands of students. I commend each L4GA grant recipient – the competition was fierce as we received an unprecedented number of applications. Making sure Georgia students are reading on grade level remains mission-critical, top-priority work for us and I have no doubt these districts – who submitted clear, focused, student-centered plans to improve literacy outcomes – are going to use these funds to make a tremendous difference for kids.”

The $61,579,800 Georgia received was the highest award received by any state. Georgia was one of three states to receive the funding a second time after the initial grant cycle (2011-2016).

“L4GA gives us a chance to ensure that more students receive high quality instruction, have access to support services, and are offered a positive learning climate,” stated Deputy Superintendent for Teaching and Learning Dr. Caitlin Dooley. “Every child in Georgia deserves these opportunities from the time they are born through graduation.”

L4GA Grantees

Atkinson County

Baldwin County

Bartow County

Ben Hill County

Bibb County

Brooks County

Carrollton City

Clay County

Clinch County

Colquitt County

Crisp County

Dooly County

Dougherty County

Douglas County

Dublin City

Fannin County

Floyd County

Gainesville City

Gilmer County

Glynn County

Gordon County

Jefferson County

Jones County

Lamar County

Laurens County

Marion County

Paulding County

Pelham City

Randolph County

Richmond County

Rome City

Stewart County

Thomas County

Thomasville City

Troup County

Valdosta City

Whitfield County

Wilkes County