Niagara University Receives $437,000 Grant to Enhance Educator Preparation in the Science of Reading

Strategic Insights -

Niagara University's College of Education has been awarded a significant grant to strengthen its educator preparation programs and ensure alignment with the Science of Reading. The $437,000 grant will enable professors Dr. Lisa Kilanowski and Dr. Kathleen McGrath to lead the initiative, focusing on progressively training future teachers with evidence-based best practices in literacy instruction. This grant is part of the New York State Path Forward initiative, aiming to increase the adoption of evidence-based reading instruction practices in K-12 public schools.

Key Takeaways:

  • The grant was awarded to Dr. Lisa Kilanowski and Dr. Kathleen McGrath, professors at Niagara University's College of Education, to lead the initiative focused on educator preparation programs and the Science of Reading.
  • The two-year grant provides $437,000 to strengthen educator preparation programs and ensure alignment with the Science of Reading.
  • The initiative is part of the New York State Path Forward program, which emphasizes the critical need for teacher preparation programs to equip future educators with evidence-based best practices in literacy instruction.
  • The grant will provide College of Education faculty with cutting-edge training in the Science of Reading, delivered by The Reading League, a prominent national organization dedicated to ensuring evidence-aligned reading instructional practices.
  • Reading-related courses will be refined to ensure they are consistent with the latest research and evidence-based instructional practices.
  • The College of Education's efforts align with New York state's broader mission to close literacy gaps, improve reading outcomes, and prepare a new generation of teachers with the knowledge and skills to deliver research-based, effective instruction.

Statistics:

  • $437,000: The amount of the grant awarded to Niagara University's College of Education.
  • 2 years: The duration of the grant.
  • The Reading League: A prominent national organization delivering training in the Science of Reading.

Sources:

  • Niagara University, news release, "Niagara University College of Education Awarded $437,000 Grant to Advance Educator Preparation in the Science of Reading"