Indianapolis elementary schools to receive $10.5M for literacy initiative

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Indianapolis Public Schools will receive a $10.5 million investment from Lilly Endowment over the next five years to support an initiative to improve literacy in elementary schools.

The funding is part of Lilly Endowment’s Marion County K–12 Public Schools Initiative, which works to enhance academic achievement and future success for students in Indianapolis. This initiative is one of 43 grants awarded in Phase 2 of the initiative.

“We’re not only deepening our commitment to foundational literacy in our IPS elementary schools, but we’re also building a system of support that extends beyond the classroom and into the home,” IPS Superintendent Dr. Aleesia Johnson said.

The IPS literacy initiative is expected to help 18,500 students and includes several key components. One major aspect is increasing individual in-school intervention support through a partnership with Tutored by Teachers, providing virtual tutoring for up to 3,400 high-risk 2nd- and 3rd-grade students across 23 schools. Additionally, IPS will pilot a program with Indy Reads to offer a two-generation literacy initiative for 75 parents and guardians, focusing on the district’s growing English Language Learner population.

Teachers will receive professional development aligned with the Science of Reading, including Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling training, Marian University’s Center for Vibrant Schools Literacy Cadres, and National Institute for Excellence in Teaching instructional coaching.

The program aims to increase pass rates for IREAD-3 — Indiana’s third-grade assessment of reading levels — improve literacy skills and boost student promotion rates, aligning with Lilly Endowment’s efforts to improve reading instruction in Indianapolis.

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