Smithfield Public Schools Awarded RI State Literacy Grant

SMITHFIELD, RI — Smithfield Public Schools will receive more than $300,000 from the Rhode Island Department of Education as part of the Comprehensive State Literacy Development grant. The grant awards will begin in July.

School officials said Smithfield is adopting a high-quality curriculum in grades kindergarten through fifth grade after a two-year vetting and piloting process. Through this grant a locally developed curriculum in grades 6 though 12 will undergo a review, high-quality materials will be procured and sustainable professional learning opportunities will be implemented.

Officials said the timeline will be revised due to the new coronavirus interruption, but the goal is implementation by next spring. Grant funds will support professional learning days provided by the publisher of the instructional materials, instruction partners, and consultation.

Officials said that over the course of the five-year grant, the cost of training is estimated to be about $115,000. The grant will also support the purchase of high-quality curriculum materials. The approximate cost for instructional materials for grades 6-12 is estimated to be about $150,000.

Assistant superintendent Sara Monaco will lead the grant project with assistance from middle school and high school principals.