State Awards $10 Million in Literacy Grants
The Pennsylvania Department of Education distributed the first round of grants from a program created by Act 47 of 2025 to 54 schools in 21 counties.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Financial Aid
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The Pennsylvania Department of Education awarded $10 million in literacy grants to 54 schools across 21 counties in the initial round of funding from a newly created program. Chartiers-Houston School District received about $230,000 and Fort Cherry School District received about $180,000.
Why it matters
Only about one-third of Pennsylvania fourth-grade students can read at their grade level, which the program aims to address by funding research-backed literacy instruction. The grants give schools resources to screen students, train teachers and provide intervention support.
The initial round totaled $10 million across 54 schools in 21 counties, with Chartiers-Houston receiving about $230,000 and Fort Cherry receiving around $180,000. Only the first round has been awarded, and the program's long-term outcomes have not yet been reported.
The players
Pennsylvania Department of Education
The state agency responsible for overseeing public education in Pennsylvania and administering the literacy grant program.
Jason Ortitay
A Pennsylvania state representative who authored the legislation that created the literacy grant program.
The details
Program funds can be used to screen students for literacy milestones, train teachers in research-based methods, replace outdated classroom materials, provide targeted literacy coaching, and deliver intervention support to struggling students. The grant program was created by Act 47 of 2025 after state Rep. Jason Ortitay authored the legislation.
Timeline
2025: Act 47 of 2025 is enacted, creating the literacy grant program.
November 6, 2026: The initial round of literacy grant awards is announced.
Big Picture
The awards are the first implementation of funding authorized by Act 47 of 2025, which established a dedicated state literacy grant program for Pennsylvania schools.
Students in the 54 participating schools may see new literacy screening, teacher training and intervention support in classrooms. Families in other districts will not see changes from this round unless their schools receive future awards.
The takeaway
Reading proficiency in the early grades shapes later academic outcomes, and state-funded literacy programs like this one aim to address gaps before they widen. Parents can ask their child's school whether it participates in the program and what literacy supports are available.
Further reading
For related context on state education funding, see Financial Aid coverage in Pennsylvania.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Observer-Reporter.
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