NEW JERSEY — The New Jersey Department of Education announced Monday the availability of $3.95 million in grant funding to support literacy programs in school districts across the state.
The funding will be distributed through two grant programs — FOCUS and BRIDGE — aimed at strengthening early reading skills and improving literacy outcomes for students, particularly in kindergarten through third grade.
“Strong literacy skills serve as the foundation to a world-class education,” said Governor Mikie Sherrill. “My Administration is committed to ensuring every child has access to the best education possible. That is why we are continuing to invest in evidence-based resources – like the FOCUS and BRIDGE grants – that help to foster our kids’ academic development, giving them the tools necessary to succeed in the classroom and beyond.”
Of the total funding, $1.95 million will support the continuation of Funding for Optimal Comprehensive Universal Screeners (FOCUS) grants in 305 school districts that received awards last school year. These grants help districts conduct required literacy screenings at least twice a year for students in kindergarten through third grade and keep parents informed of results. Funds may also be used for teacher training.
The remaining funding will support Building Responsive Instruction through Data-Guided Evaluation (BRIDGE) grants, which focus on using screening data to guide evidence-based literacy instruction.
“We want to give children strong literacy skills early in their educational journeys, and we have clear evidence for what works,” said Education Commissioner Lily Laux. “Reading depends on two skills: recognizing written words and making sense of them. This ongoing effort brings two initiatives together to support both skills. The FOCUS and BRIDGE grants are a part of New Jersey’s broader strategy to strengthen early learning by helping districts improve literacy. Taking a truly comprehensive approach to literacy is critical to improving outcomes for students across New Jersey.”
A total of $570,000 in BRIDGE funding will be available for 19 districts that previously received grants, while an additional $1.4 million will be awarded to 20 new districts to launch programs. The competitive grants target districts where at least 70% of students are not meeting proficiency standards on statewide assessments.
Districts have until April 23 to apply for the new BRIDGE grants, with awards expected to be announced this summer.
“Lasting progress doesn’t come from a single change or mandate, which is why we are also focused on supporting educators to effectively use the data from those screenings and ensuring teachers have the training and preparation they need to improve classroom instruction,” said Dr. Laux.
Officials said the grants are funded through the fiscal year 2026 state budget and are part of a broader effort to improve literacy instruction and student outcomes statewide.
