Faced with a global pandemic that has closed schools and impacted literacy learning, the West Virginia Public Education Collaborative, in partnership with the Benedum Foundation, has embraced the challenge to improve West Virginia’s literacy levels for all learners by the end of third grade.

The purpose of the Sparking Early Literacy Growth in West Virginia Request for Proposals (RFP) is to solicit innovative ideas, initiatives, and interventions to support the early literacy growth of West Virginia children birth to age 8 in high-need schools and student populations. Public and private schools, early care and early childhood centers, after school and summer learning programs, nonprofit organizations, colleges and universities, and other literacy-focused stakeholders/communities/community and public organizations are encouraged to apply.

Funded projects must focus on at least one of the following: school readiness, instructional practices, and innovations or extended learning.

Two technical assistance sessions will be hosted on November 12 at 1:30 pm and December 2 at 10 am. One-on-one assistance with RFP submissions will be offered by request any time before the due date. Sign up for a technical assistance session here.