CHILLICOTHE, MO — The Chillicothe R-II School District is proud to announce it has been selected as a recipient of the U.S. Department of Education’s Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) grant, administered by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Chillicothe Elementary School will receive $45,000 per year, and Chillicothe Middle School will receive $20,000 per year over the next five years to enhance literacy programming and support student achievement.
The funding is part of Missouri’s new $49 million CLSD grant, which will benefit 80 early learning programs and public schools statewide. The initiative is closely aligned with DESE’s Read, Lead, Exceed, and Steps to Success literacy plans and is aimed at building and sustaining equitable literacy systems from birth through grade 12.
“Through the initial Read, Lead, Succeed grant, the district has nearly all of its K-3 teachers trained in the Science of Reading,” said Melissa Young, Director of Student Support Services for Chillicothe R-II. “This new opportunity allows us to put that training into practice and strengthen literacy instruction across the district.”
Grant funds will support professional development, literacy coaching, access to literacy specialists, and family engagement resources—equipping teachers and leaders with evidence-based tools to improve student outcomes.
DESE Commissioner Dr. Karla Eslinger stated, “Literacy is one of DESE’s priority areas. This grant will provide our schools and early learning centers with the resources they need to continue promoting literacy in Missouri.”
Chillicothe R-II is committed to ensuring that every student receives high-quality reading instruction and looks forward to leveraging this grant to further its mission of educational excellence.