FY21 IAL Senate Letter

Abstract

Dear Chairman Blunt and Ranking Member Murray: As your Subcommittee considers Fiscal Year 2021 appropriations, we urge you to increase funding for the Innovative Approaches to Literacy (IAL) grant program administered by the Department of Education. In the most recent competition for IAL there were 145 applications reviewed but funding only allowed for 40 to be funded. With a new completion planned for Fiscal Year 2021, an increase would ensure that more communities would benefit from IAL awards to school libraries as well as national not-for-profit organizations that support literacy outside of school. By providing age-appropriate books, supporting parental engagement programs, and reinforcing professional development, the IAL program helps strengthen literacy skills to ensure that children enter school ready to learn and continue to be best positioned for success.