PA Literacy Grants Send $10 Million to 54 Schools
Schools in 21 Pennsylvania counties can use the new funding for literacy screening, teacher training, and student intervention.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Financial Aid
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The Pennsylvania Department of Education awarded $10 million in literacy grants to 54 schools across 21 counties in an initial round of funding from a newly created program. Chartiers-Houston School District received about $230,000 and Fort Cherry School District received around $180,000.
Why it matters
Only about one-third of Pennsylvania fourth-grade students can read at their grade level, which the program aims to address by bringing research-backed literacy methods into classrooms. For families and educators in the state, the awards signal a new source of funding for reading instruction, though this is only the first round.
The first round totaled $10 million across 54 schools in 21 Pennsylvania counties, with Chartiers-Houston receiving about $230,000 and Fort Cherry receiving around $180,000. The program was created by Act 47 of 2025, and the awards are the initial round, with no further rounds specified in the source.
The players
Pennsylvania Department of Education
The state agency that administers K-12 education in Pennsylvania and awarded these literacy grants to schools statewide.
Jason Ortitay
A Pennsylvania state representative who authored the legislation that created the literacy grant program.
Chartiers-Houston School District
A Pennsylvania public school district that received about $230,000 in the first round of literacy grant funding.
Fort Cherry School District
A Pennsylvania public school district that received around $180,000 in the first round of literacy grant funding.
The details
Funds from the grant program can be used in several ways: screening students for literacy development milestones, training teachers in research-based pedagogical methods, replacing out-of-date classroom materials, providing targeted literacy coaching for teachers, and delivering intervention support to struggling students. The grants reached schools through a new state program created by Act 47 of 2025, which state Rep. Jason Ortitay authored. Districts receiving awards can apply these funds to the specific literacy supports their students need.
Timeline
Act 47 of 2025 was enacted, creating the literacy grant program.
The initial round of literacy grant awards was announced on November 6, 2026.
Education Landscape
The awards are the first implementation of Act 47 of 2025, a state law that set up dedicated literacy funding for schools. The program's focus on reading reflects the state's concern that only about one-third of fourth-graders read at grade level.
If you are a parent or educator in a Pennsylvania school, ask your district whether it received a literacy grant and how those funds will be used for screening, teacher training, or intervention support. Families whose students need reading help can request a conversation with their school about the literacy supports available.
The takeaway
The literacy grants show that state funding can be directed toward specific reading supports, such as screening and intervention. Parents who want to know whether their child's school is using these funds can ask the school's administration directly how the money is being spent.
Further reading
For more on how grant money reaches students and schools, explore Financial Aid coverage on Scholaroo.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Observer-Reporter.
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