FLORENCE – The College of Education and Human Sciences at the University of North  Alabama was recently awarded a $20,000 Alabama Reading Initiative Program Improvement grant, through the Alabama Department of Education.

The award is offered to support initiatives that improve quality, relevance, and effectiveness, ultimately preparing students for literacy success. 

Dr. Lisa Clayton, a professor of elementary education, spearheaded the effort on behalf of UNA and in support of Alabama’s Literacy Act that was passed by the Legislature in 2019. 

“Receiving this grant is an exciting opportunity for our faculty to continuously enhance our evidence-based instruction in the science of reading,” she said. “This grant will provide  professional learning experiences and resources we can integrate into our coursework. As a result, teacher candidates will have additional instructional strategies to use during field  experiences and apply in their future classrooms.” 

The Alabama Literacy Act aims to help improve reading in Alabama public schools to ensure students are reading on grade-level by the end of third grade. Reading is the gateway to life-long achievement and the students of Alabama deserve a strong start on their path to success. 

“At UNA, preparing high-quality teachers for our region is at the very heart of our mission,” said Dr. Katie Kinney, dean of the college. “Literacy is foundational to all learning, and this grant allows us to strengthen our commitment to ensuring every child has the opportunity to read on grade level by the end of third grade.

“We are proud to help equip the next generation of educators with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions they need to make a positive difference in the lives of Alabama’s students.”