The Kentucky Department of Education’s (KDE’s) Office of Teaching and Learning has issued a request for applications (RFA) for the fiscal year 2025 Reading Diagnostic and Intervention Fund Mini-Grants. Kentucky public school districts must apply on behalf of individual schools. The Kentucky School for the Blind and Kentucky School for the Deaf also are eligible to apply.  

The RFA can be found on the Competitive Grants from KDE webpage.  

As specified in KRS 158.792, the Reading Diagnostic and Intervention fund is created to help teachers and library media specialists improve the reading skills of struggling readers in kindergarten through grade three (3). The Reading Diagnostic and Intervention Fund mini grant will help districts adopt high-quality instructional resources (HQIRs) that support the implementation of structured literacy practices for tier 2 and/or tier 3 reading instruction in kindergarten through grade three (3). Primary, or tier 1, HQIRs rated green on EdReports may be considered for purchase with mini-grant funds for the purpose of implementing tier 2 instruction. 

A district/school shall use funding to purchase instructional resources to support the implementation of structured literacy practices, supplement, not replace, the classroom comprehensive reading program and align with the KDE’s definition of HQIRs as listed below:  

• Aligned with the Kentucky Academic Standards (KAS) for Reading and Writing  

• Research-based and/or externally validated;   

• Comprehensive to include engaging texts (books, multimedia, etc.), tasks and assessments;   

• Based on fostering vibrant student learning experiences;  

• Culturally relevant, free from bias; and   

• Accessible for all students.  

Important Dates                                                  

• October 22, 2 p.m. ET: Technical Assistance Webinar
  • Webinar recording will be available on the Competitive Grants from KDE webpage.  

• October 29, 4 p.m. ET: Deadline for questions. All questions must be sent to KDERFP@education.ky.gov.   

• November 26, 4 p.m. ET: Application submission deadline. All applications must be sent to KDERFP@education.ky.gov.
  
  • Review the links within the RFA for further guidance when writing the submission. If you have any questions, contact KDERFP@education.ky.gov. 
  • Please pay close attention to the blinding/redacted language within the RFA. Improperly blinded grants WILL be deemed non-responsive and NOT eligible for award.