Early Literacy Intervention Initiative Grant

Manitoba Education, Citizenship and Youth has allocated $6,200,000 in the Early Literacy Intervention Initiative Grant Program to support school divisions in their ongoing efforts to provide early literacy intervention programs for the lowest achieving Grade One students. The intent of the funding is to provide support to school divisions for the implementation of early intervention programs that have clearly demonstrated success in increasing the reading and writing proficiency of the lowest achieving students in Grade One.

The early literacy intervention funding initiative provides support for the following three program categories in Grade One:

• Reading Recovery^® programs;
• Externally developed early literacy programs that have demonstrated success in increasing the reading and writing proficiency of the lowest achieving students in Grade One, as shown in the research/literature;
• Locally developed early literacy intervention programs that have demonstrated or have the potential to demonstrate success in increasing the reading and writing proficiency of the lowest achieving students in Grade One, as shown through the funding application process.

Priorities of the Early Literacy Intervention Funding Initiative

The priorities for funding early literacy intervention programs in 2009-2010 are:

• Supporting existing Reading Recovery^® programs;
• Supporting the implementation of existing early literacy intervention programs;
• Introducing new early literacy intervention programs that have the potential to demonstrate success in increasing the reading and writing proficiency of the lowest achieving students in Grade One.

Requirements and Timelines

For New or Existing Programs:

• Costs related to travel, materials and meals will not be eligible for Department support.
• Project grants will not exceed the eligible allocation.
• Project grants should not duplicate activities funded through other sources.

Program Plan for 2009-2010

For the 2009-2010 school year, divisions are required to submit a proposed ELI plan by October 30, 2009. The plan must include:

• Outcomes for Students
• Strategies
• Indicators
• Data Sources (tools)
• Financial Reporting (projected Budget for 2009-2010 school year)

Evaluation Report for 2007-2008 and 2008-2009

For the 2009-2010 school year, school divisions are required to submit an evaluation report by October 30, 2009. This report must include:

• Outcomes reported for 2007-2008 and 2008-2009
• Results achieved through implementation of ELI program in 2007-2008 and 2008-2009
• Financial Reporting (actual expenditures for 2008-2009 school year)

A blank reporting template is available to assist you in completing both the program plan and the evaluation requirements. ELI Templates are available in Word format.

Process

Submit Early Literacy Intervention Initiative Planning/Evaluation Report by October 30, 2009. Reports will be reviewed by the Department team in November 2009. Approved plans are to be implemented during the 2009-2010 school year.

For additional information, please contact Allyson Matczuk at (204) 945-4687 or or toll free at 1-800-282-8069, ext. 4687.