Literacy Coaches and Reading Specialists FAQs

Funding Calculations and Apportionment of Funds

Fiscal Year 2022-23

1. Who was eligible to receive Literacy Coaches and Reading Specialists funds in 2022–23?

   Eligible school sites are defined as elementary school sites operated by a local educational agency (LEA), defined as an elementary or unified school district, county office of education (COE), or charter school, with an unduplicated pupil percentage of 97 percent or greater for pupils enrolled in kindergarten and grades one to three, inclusive, based on 2021–22 Fall 1 census day pupil data submitted through the California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System (CALPADS). (2022 Assembly Bill (AB) 185, Section 57 (Chapter 571, Statutes of 2022) )

   The unduplicated pupil percentage for a school site is calculated by the sum of the number of unduplicated pupils eligible for free and reduced-price meals, English language learners, and youth in foster care, divided by each school site’s total enrollment for kindergarten and grades one to three, inclusive. (2022 AB 185, Section 57 (Chapter 571, Statutes of 2022) )

2. How was funding calculated in 2022–23?

   Allocation of funds to an eligible school site is based on an amount per pupil enrolled in kindergarten or any of grades one to three, inclusive, so that no LEA received less than $450,000 per eligible school site. Grant amounts were determined using 2021–22 school enrollment data determined as of the CALPADS Fall 1 Certification.
   
   Allocations for eligible LEAs are available at the Literacy Coaches and Reading Specialists (LCRS) Grant Program funding results web page.

3. When did local educational agencies receive the Literacy Coaches and Reading Specialists funds for 2022–23?

   The California Department of Education (CDE) released an apportionment of funds, reflecting 100 percent of the allocation for each LEA, in January 2023.

4. What if a local educational agency did not want to receive funds in 2022–23?

   If an LEA did not wish to participate in the LCRS program, an Opt-Out Form must have been submitted to the CDE by September 30, 2022.

5. Where can I find more information on Literacy Coaches and Reading Specialists funds for 2022–23?

   Language governing the allocation and use of the LCRS funds for 2022–2023 can be found in 2022 AB 185, Section 57 (Chapter 571, Statutes of 2022) .
   
   Additional information is available on the LCRS web page.

6. What is the Standardized Account Code Structure (SACS) code for Literacy Coaches and Reading Specialists for 2022–23?

   SACS Resource Code 6211: Literacy Coaches and Reading Specialists.

7. How long do I have to spend the 2022–23 funds?

   Funds are available for encumbrance through June 30, 2027.

Fiscal Year 2023-24

1. Who is eligible to receive Literacy Coaches and Reading Specialists funds in 2023–24?

   Eligible school sites are defined as elementary school sites operated by a LEA, defined as an elementary or unified school district, COE, or charter school, with unduplicated pupil percentage of 95 percent or greater for pupils enrolled in kindergarten and grades one to three, inclusive, based on the 2022–23 CALPADS Fall 1 census day pupil data. School sites that received funding in the 2022–23 fiscal year are not eligible to receive additional funding in 2023–24. (2023 Senate Bill (SB) 114, Section 104 (Chapter 48, 2023) )
   
   The unduplicated pupil percentage for a school site is calculated by the sum of the number of unduplicated pupils eligible for free and reduced-price meals, English language learners, and youth in foster care, divided by each school site’s total enrollment for kindergarten and grades one to three, inclusive. (2023 SB 114, Section 104 (Chapter 48, 2023) )

2. How is funding calculated for 2023–24?

   In 2023–24, the allocation of funds to an eligible school site is based on an amount per pupil enrolled in kindergarten or any of grades one to three, inclusive, so that no LEA will receive less than $450,000 per eligible school site. Grant amounts will be determined using 2022–23 school enrollment data determined as of the CALPADS Fall 1 Certification.
   
   Allocations for eligible LEAs are available on the respective fiscal year’s funding results webpage at LCRS Grant - Categorical Programs (CA Dept of Education).

3. When can local educational agencies expect to receive the Literacy Coaches and Reading Specialists funds for 2023–24?

   The CDE released the apportionment of funds in late 2023.

4. What if a local educational agency does not want to receive funds for 2023–24?

   If an LEA did not wish to participate in the LCRS program, an Opt-Out Form must have been submitted to the CDE by September 30, 2023.

5. Where can I find more information on Literacy Coaches and Reading Specialists funds for 2023–24?

   Language governing the allocation and use of the LCRS funds for 2023–2024 can be found in 2023 SB 114, Section 115 (Chapter 48, Statutes of 2023) .
   
   Additional information is available on the LCRS web page.

6. What is the Standardized Account Code Structure (SACS) code for Literacy Coaches and Reading Specialists for 2023–24?

   SACS Resource Code 6211: Literacy Coaches and Reading Specialists.

7. How long do I have to spend the 2023–24 funds?

   Funds are available for encumbrance through June 30, 2028.

Fiscal Year 2025-26

1. Who is eligible to receive Literacy Coaches and Reading Specialists funds in 2025–26?

   Eligible school sites are defined as elementary school sites operated by a LEA, defined as a school district, COE, or charter school, with unduplicated pupil percentage of 94 percent or greater for pupils enrolled in kindergarten and grades one to three, inclusive, based on the 2024–25 CALPADS Fall 1 census day pupil data. School sites that received funding in the 2022–23 or 2023–24 fiscal year are not eligible to receive additional funding in 2025–26. (2025 Assembly Bill 121, Section 51 (Chapter 8, Statutes of 2025) )
   
   The unduplicated pupil percentage for a school site is calculated by the sum of the number of unduplicated pupils eligible for free and reduced-price meals, English language learners, and youth in foster care, divided by each school site’s total enrollment for kindergarten and grades one to three, inclusive. (2025 AB 121, Section 51 (Chapter 8, Statutes of 2025) )
   

2. How is funding calculated for 2025–26?
   

   In 2025–26, the allocation of funds to an eligible school site is based on an amount per pupil enrolled in kindergarten or any of grades one to three, inclusive, so that no LEA will receive less than $450,000 per eligible school site. Grant amounts will be determined using 2024–25 school enrollment data determined as of the CALPADS Fall 1 Certification.
   
   Allocations for eligible LEAs are available on the respective fiscal year’s funding results webpage at LCRS Grant - Categorical Programs (CA Dept of Education).

3. When can local educational agencies expect to receive the Literacy Coaches and Reading Specialists funds for 2025–26?
   

   The CDE plans to release the apportionment of funds in late 2025.
   

4. What if a local educational agency does not want to receive funds for 2025–26?
   

   If an LEA does not wish to participate in the LCRS program, an Opt-Out Form must be submitted to the CDE by September 30, 2025.

5. Where can I find more information on Literacy Coaches and Reading Specialists funds for 2025–26?

   Language governing the allocation and use of the LCRS funds can be found in 2025 AB 121, Section 51 (Chapter 8, Statutes of 2025) and California Education Code (EC) Section 53009 (a).
   
   Additional information is available on the LCRS web page.

6. What is the Standardized Account Code Structure (SACS) code for Literacy Coaches and Reading Specialists for 2025–26?
   

   SACS Resource Code 6211: Literacy Coaches and Reading Specialists.

7. How long do I have to spend the 2025–26 funds?
   

   Funds are available for encumbrance through June 30, 2029. (EC section 53009 (a) )

Use of Funds and Expenditure Reporting

1. What are the reporting requirements for local educational agencies receiving the Literacy Coaches and Reading Specialists funds?

   LEAs are required to submit reports when participating in this program (2022 AB 185, Section 57 , 2023 SB 114, Section 14 , and EC Section 53009 (a) ). These reports include:

   • Annual reports are due by September 30 each year. These reports will include, but are not limited to, how funds are being used to employ literacy coaches and reading and literacy specialists for its eligible schools, how funds are being used to develop and implement school literacy programs, including English Language Development and dual language programs and other programs for multilingual learners, how expenditures are impacting pupils’ literacy achievement, including for pupil subgroups and achievement of high need pupil groups, and how the LEA plans to continue to fund literacy coaches and bilingual reading specialists past the award period.
     
     
   • For the first cohort, a final report is expected by spring 2027 and no later than June 30, 2027. For the second cohort, a final report is expected by spring 2028 and no later than June 30, 2028. For the third cohort, a final report is expected by spring 2029 and no later than June 30, 2029.
     

2. Is a template available for the reports local educational agencies are required to submit?
   

   The CDE has posted a reporting template for the reports on the CDE’s LCRS web page, under the Resources and Reporting tab. LEAs will be required to report on the data requested in this template each year.

3. What are the allowable uses of the Literacy Coaches and Reading Specialists funds?

   LCRS funds are to be used for developing school literacy programs (2022 AB 185, Section 57 , 2023 SB 114, Section 14 , and EC Section 53009 (a) ), including dual language immersion and other programs for multilingual learners, employing and training literacy coaches and reading and literacy specialists, and developing and implementing interventions for pupils in need of targeted literacy support, including English learners.

4. What is included in a school literacy program?

   Per EC Section 53009 (a) and controlling language in prior state budget bills, a school literacy program developed using LCRS funds includes the following:
   

   • A school literacy plan that includes goals and actions to improve literacy acquisition for all pupils, including those needing targeted literacy support, in preschool, if applicable, and kindergarten or any of grades 1 to 3, inclusive. The plan shall identify metrics to measure progress towards the goals and actions.
   • At least one literacy coach or specialist per schoolsite to support educators and pupils in improving literacy instruction and pupil outcomes. The literacy coach or specialist may serve educators and pupils schoolwide, beyond grade 3.
     
   • Increasing access to evidence-based literacy instruction, through strategies, including, but not limited to, any of the following:
     1. Providing professional learning for educators and school leaders regarding implementation of the curriculum framework for English Language Arts/English Language Development adopted by the state board pursuant to Section 60207, the English Learner Roadmap, the Literacy Roadmap, and the use of data to support effective instruction. This may include supporting educators in obtaining Reading and Literacy Leadership Specialist Credentials, Reading and Literacy Added Authorizations, and Bilingual Specialist Authorizations.
     2. Providing English language development and bilingual education specialists to support language development for multilingual learners.
     3. Developing and implementing culturally responsive curriculum and instruction.
     4. Providing professional development for educators and school leaders in literacy instruction and the use of data to identify and support struggling pupils.
        
        
   • Establishing an evidence-based family literacy initiative, which may include but is not limited to, the following:
     
     1. Family literacy plans that identify literacy and biliteracy goals, benchmarks, and roles for all family members.
        
     2. Family literacy home visiting programs, including, but not limited to, “promotora” family literacy outreach specialists. LEAs may establish literacy and biliteracy home visits to engage families in how to best support their pupils and every family member in reaching their literacy goals.
     3. Extended-day, summer, or weekend family institutes related to literacy and biliteracy. LEAs are encouraged to work with in-house expanded learning programs to establish literacy and biliteracy support programs and literacy enrichment programs during after school, weekend, and summer hours.
     4. Public library family literacy partnerships, including, but not limited to, digital tools to support whole family literacy.

   
   

5. Can local educational agencies receiving Literacy Coaches and Reading Specialists funds also participate in the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing’s Reading and Literacy Supplemental Authorization Incentive Grant Program?
   

   Yes, LEAs who receive LCRS funds may also be eligible for the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing’s (CTC) Reading and Literacy Supplemental Authorization Incentive Grant Program (2022 AB 185, Section 57 , 023 SB 114, Section 14 , and EC Section 53009 (a) ). Read more about this grant program on the CTC’s Reading and Literacy Supplemental Authorization Incentive Grant Program web page .

6. For eligible sites with grades outside of kindergarten through grade three, can funds be used to support those other grades?
   

   The literacy coach or specialist may serve educators and pupils schoolwide, beyond grade 3 (EC Section 53009 (a) ).
   

7. Can a local educational agency use Literacy Coaches and Reading Specialists funds to purchase a license that will benefit the whole district?
   

   No, LCRS funds must be spent for eligible schoolsites. For district-wide expenses, an LEA would have to use another funding source to support the portion of the service that would benefit non-eligible sites.

Support and Technical Assistance

1. What supports will be provided to local educational agencies that receive these funds?
   

   The CDE has awarded $27 million via a competitive grant to the Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) to support the LCRS program. SCOE, in conjunction with the CDE, is developing and providing training for educators to become literacy coaches and reading and literacy specialists, as well as providing professional learning, such as communities of practice, to support the other allowable activities of the grant.

   Another county office lead will be selected via competitive grant to support the third LCRS cohort. More information on that will be shared as it is available.

   CDE program staff are also available to support LEAs. LCRS program staff can be reached by email at PLIO@cde.ca.gov.

2. What resources might be helpful as my district begins work on the Literacy Coaches and Reading Specialists program?
   

   The following literacy initiatives/grants can serve as useful resources for work on the LCRS program:

   • Early Literacy Support Block Grant
   • Reading Instruction and Intervention Grant
   • Comprehensive Literacy State Development Grant
   • Comprehensive State Literacy Plan (DOCX)
   • Literacy Resources Repository
   • Educator Workforce Investment Grant (EWIG): English Learner Roadmap
   • California Dyslexia Initiative
     

   
   Additionally, the Quality Professional Learning Standards can help guide LEAs as they develop and implement professional learning with LCRS funds.

Contact Information

Program Questions:
Professional Learning Innovations Office
PLIO@cde.ca.gov

Fiscal Questions:
Categorical Allocations and Audit Resolution Office
CAAR@cde.ca.gov