The Lee Pesky Learning Center has received a $850,000 grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to support literacy programs across the state.

The Pesky center will launch the Idaho Early Literacy Project in August — a three-year effort designed to improve student reading skills.

In a news release, the Pesky center said they will make evidence-based literacy professional development and coaching available to pre-school through second-grade teachers who serve students that are at high risk of falling behind in reading. The program has two goals: to get more kindergartners ready to read when they arrive at school, and to get more third-graders reading at grade level.

Districts can apply to participate in the project. Applications are due May 18. Grant money will cover professional development and onsite coaching for every kindergarten through second-grade teacher in a district selected for the program. Grant money will also go for training for local pre-k providers.

The Pesky center hopes to use the $850,000 to reach more than 500 teachers across the state beginning in the 2018-19 school year.

An independent evaluator will review the training programs.

The training model isn’t new. The Pesky center launched a demonstration of this project for private pre-K providers and Head Start teachers located within West Ada School District boundaries.

Click here to apply for the project.