UCP Charter Schools receive a $914,000 literacy grant

The Florida Department of Education recently awarded UCP Charter Schools a two-year literacy grant of $914,000 to help fund an initiative that promises to help increase literacy outcomes for students by 5% to 8%. 

According to a press release, the grant will allow the UCP Charter Schools network — which consists of eight charter schools and a program of UCP of Central Florida — to train "instructional staff and speech-language therapists to support students with the latest research and best practices to foster reading, writing and comprehension skills." 

Founded in 2001, UCP Charter Schools has grown to serve more than 2000 students aged from birth to 21 years old. 

"We are incredibly honored to have been awarded this federal literacy grant," said Ilene Wilkins, Superintendent of UCP Charter Schools, on the press release. "This grant represents a significant investment in the future of our students, ensuring that every child, regardless of their abilities, has access to quality literacy instruction. By supporting collaboration, professional development, parent engagement and support and accessible resources, this grant will foster a love of reading and unlock doors of opportunity for all learners." 

This grant will allow UCP Charter Schools to partner with the REED Charitable Foundation and the use of the Orton-Gillingham Approach, which provides a systematic approach to help build foundational literacy for all students with reading impediments like dyslexia. 

According to a press release, "the new grant will provide a powerful boost to the program and staffing, but parent engagement and support at home remain important elements in improving literacy for students." 

"There is a crucial role for families in promoting literacy," said Meredith Daniels, Curriculum and Instruction Specialist, Humanities, on the press release. "This grant will aim to also strengthen the connection between schools and parents through workshops, training and resources to support their child's literacy development at home."