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 deep and lasting 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
The list of eligible LEAs 
is available in the attached spreadsheet.
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.
FC508 Growing Literacy Equity Across Massachusetts (GLEAM) Preschool Grant — Coming Soon!
FC509/510 Growing Literacy Equity Across Massachusetts (GLEAM) K-12 Program Grants — Available Now!
GLEAM program grants, beginning in FY2022, will provide funding to schools for a range of ELA and Literacy teaching and learning improvement activities in preK–12, such as:
- Procurement of high-quality core curriculum materials and intervention materials
- Professional development for teachers, principals, and literacy coaches
- Procurement of a valid and reliable early literacy screening assessment and training to implement
- Expansion and enhancement of high-quality public preK
FC508/509/510 Technical Assistance
Technical assistance is being provided to support LEAs with their collaborative development of a high quality GLEAM program grant proposal. Please see below, including the Q+A in the GLEAM Resources section, to access these opportunities and resources.
Need technical assistance with your proposal? Want to clarify components of the application? Register to join us during our weekly office hours! You may register for all sessions and then attend as needed and at any time during the hour. Please keep in mind that this is an opportunity to receive technical assistance and clarification and is not intended to provide individual feedback on your specific proposal.
- Thursdays 3:30–4:30 pm
- March 11–May 6, 2021
GLEAM Program Grant Video Series
By breaking down each component of the application, the GLEAM Grant Video Series is intended to support LEAs with developing of a high quality proposal.
Video 1: Introduction to GLEAM Program Grants and Application
Video 2: Part A: Selecting a Track (A4)
Video 3: Part A: Selecting a Grade Band (A5–A8)
Video 4: Part A: Developing a GLEAM Leadership Team (A9–A12)
Video 5: Part B: Understanding Grant Activities and Developing a Timeline (K–5 Grade Band)
Video 6: Part B: Understanding Grant Activities and Developing a Timeline (6–12 Grade Band)
Video 7: Part C: Articulating a Clear Approach to Development and Sustainability
Video 8: Part D: Demonstrating Favorable Conditions and Resources
Video 9: Part E: Bringing Together a Diverse Coalition
Video 10: Budget: Navigating the Workbook and Creating an Accurate and Complete Budget
Video 11: Addendum: Workbook Tutorial
Video 12: Addendum: Competitive Priorities
GLEAM Resources
GLEAM Grants Q + A
GLEAM Program Overview
Contact Us
For questions, comments, or suggestions, contact GLEAM@mass.gov
To provide feedback on the video series, please complete this brief survey.
Last Updated: April 30, 2021