The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) is expanding grant support over the next five years using federal Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) funding for ELA/literacy under the grant program name GLEAM, Growing Literacy Equity Across Massachusetts. GLEAM grants will support LEAs to implement equity-driven and sustainable improvements in programming across the Commonwealth through a multi-tiered system of support for ELA/literacy, as well as expanded access to high-quality PreK. A multi-tiered system of support, or MTSS, is an evidence-based approach to providing culturally responsive, tiered instruction to enable academic success of all students.

Public school districts and charter schools meeting the following criteria are eligible to apply for GLEAM program grants:

• With at least one school in which the percentage of students identified as economically disadvantaged is 50% or greater; and/or
• With at least one high school in which the percentage of students identified as economically disadvantaged is 40% or greater

A group of eligible LEAs (public school districts and/or charter schools) may apply as a consortium convened by a local fiscal agent, which may be a collaborative.

Cohort 2 [FY23–FY25] Available Now!

Learn more about the GLEAM Cohort 2 grant program and application process!

• Recording from the Tuesday, November 8 10:30 – 11:30 am informational session.

• Recordings from the Wednesday, November 30 informational sessions
  • 2:30 – 3:30 pm
  • 3:30 – 4:30 pm

Overview

GLEAM Cohort 2 PreK–12 and Preschool-Only competitive program grants, beginning in FY23, will provide funding to schools for a range of ELA/Literacy teaching and learning improvement activities, such as:

• Comprehensive district-wide systems and literacy Needs Assessment
• Ongoing, customized, and high-quality leadership coaching and development
• Procurement of a valid and reliable early literacy screening assessment and training to implement
• Procurement of high-quality core curricular materials and intervention materials
• Professional development for teachers, principals, and literacy coaches
• Expansion and enhancement of high-quality public preschool

FC508 Growing Literacy Equity Across Massachusetts (GLEAM) Preschool Grants — RFP Available Now!

GLEAM Preschool Cohort 2 Program Grant Video

Interested in applying for GLEAM Preschool Cohort 2? Watch this video to learn about grant activities and considerations when preparing to apply.

• Video 1: GLEAM Cohort 2 Preschool Program Grant Review

FC509/510 Growing Literacy Equity Across Massachusetts (GLEAM) PreK–12 Grants — RFP Available Now!

GLEAM PreK–12 Cohort 2 Program Grant Video Series

Interested in applying for GLEAM PreK–12 Cohort 2? Watch this video series to learn about grant activities and considerations when preparing to apply.

• Video 1: GLEAM Cohort 2 PreK–12 Program Grant Review
• Video 2: Selecting a Track
• Video 3: Selecting a Grade Band
• Video 4: Understanding Grant Activities
• Video 5: Articulating a Clear Approach to Development and Sustainability
• Video 6: Demonstrating Favorable Conditions and Resources
• Video 7: Bringing Together a Diverse Coalition
• Video 8: Navigating the Budget Workbook and Creating an Accurate Budget
• Video 9: Competitive Priorities

To provide feedback on the video series, please complete this brief survey.

Cohort 1 [FY22–FY24]

FC508 Growing Literacy Equity Across Massachusetts (GLEAM) Preschool Grants — (Closed)

Congratulations to GLEAM Cohort 1 Preschool Recipients!

FY22 Preschool Activities

Cohort 1 PreK recipients in Year 1 engaged in the following GLEAM activities:

• Evaluation, selection, and implementation of a high-quality preschool literacy screening assessment
• Evaluation of curricular materials utilizing EEC's Curriculum Rubric
• Selection and implementation of core and supplemental curricular materials for ELA/literacy in preschool
• [508C] Collaborative completion of a Community Needs Assessment to inform the development of a comprehensive, evidence-based, inclusive, and culturally responsive, preschool literacy plan

FY23 Preschool Activities

In Year 2, PreK recipients are engaged in the following GLEAM activities:

• Equity driven, evidence-based, inclusive, and culturally responsive implementation of new high quality core and supplemental preschool curricular materials
• Implementation of a high quality, valid, reliable, and language-based preschool literacy screening assessment
• Professional learning for district and EEC-licensed community partner educators to support evidence-based preschool literacy practices, use of preschool data in instructional decision-making, and foundational skills
• [508C] Evaluation, selection, and implementation of high quality preschool literacy screening assessments and core/supplemental curricular preschool materials, utilizing EEC's Curriculum Rubric

FC509/510 Growing Literacy Equity Across Massachusetts (GLEAM) K–12 Program Grants (Closed)

Congratulations to GLEAM Cohort 1 K–12 Recipients!

FY22 K–12 Activities

Cohort 1 K–12 recipients in Year 1 engaged in the following GLEAM activities:

• [K–5] Evaluation, selection, and implementation of a high-quality early literacy screening assessment.
• [Track 1] Evaluation and selection of high-quality curricular materials for ELA/literacy with the support of DESE's IMplement MA: Evaluate and Select High-Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM) Network.
• [Track 2] Completion of a district and school-wide Literacy Needs Assessment to inform the development of an evidence-based, inclusive, and culturally responsive MTSS literacy action plan.
• Connect as a cohort and build capacity as building-based literacy leaders by attending the monthly GLEAM Literacy Leaders Network.

FY23 K–12 Activities

In Year 2, Cohort 1 K–12 recipients are engaged in the following GLEAM activities:

• [Track 1] Equity driven, evidence-based, inclusive, and culturally responsive implementation of new high quality curricular materials for ELA/literacy
• [Track 2] Implementation of a comprehensive, culturally responsive, and equity driven MTSS Literacy Action Plan
• Development and implementation of a sustainability plan to ensure equity-driven literacy goals and improvements extend beyond the grant fund period
• Connection as a cohort and capacity building of building-based literacy leaders by attending the monthly GLEAM Literacy Leaders Network.

GLEAM Resources

• Weekly GLEAM Office Hours Registration (3:00 – 4:00 pm Mondays). Open to both GLEAM Cohort 1 districts and those interested in Cohort 2.

• GLEAM Grant Question and Answer Document

Contact Us

• For questions, comments, or suggestions, email GLEAM@mass.gov

Last Updated: December 1, 2022