Grant Targets Literacy Rates in E.P.

A project to improve literacy rates in East Providence will be expanded to all eight of the city's elementary schools over the next two years.

The expansion will be made possible by a $170,000 federal grant to Highlander Charter School of Providence, which has been working with two of the schools since last year. The grant came from the U.S. Department of Education.

Highlander is one of seven charter schools in the country to receive the competitive funding under the "Charter School Exemplary Collaboration Awards" program, which encourages charters and traditional public schools to share best practices and resources, according to the K-8 school.

Rose Mary Grant, president of Highlander Charter School and its Highlander Institute, said that the funds will be used to continue and expand the literacy work of the school and the institute.

"The collaborative model was based on the success of the Rhode Island Literacy Partnership, a five-year initiative out of the Highlander Institute," said the school in a news release.

John DeGoes, inteirm superintendent in East Providence, said that he is "excited to be able to continue the work with Highlander to improve literacy rates in the district."