Abstract:
As your Subcommittee considers Fiscal Year 2021 appropriations, we respectfully request a total of $30
million for the Innovative Approaches to Literacy (IAL) grant program administered by the Department
of Education, authorized in the Every Students Succeeds Act (ESSA). IAL provides competitive awards
to school libraries as well as national not-for-profit organizations, including partnerships that reach
families outside of local education agencies (LEAs ), to support children and families in high-need,
underserved communities. By providing age-appropriate books, supporting parental engagement
programs, and reinforcing professional development, the IAL program helps to support literacy skills to
ensure that children enter school ready to learn and best positioned for success.