By Educational Service Unit 13
SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. - Educational Service Unit 13 (ESU 13) has been awarded $880,000 for the first two years of the Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) Grant. Additional funding projected to bring the total investment to as much as $2.2 million over five years, pending continued availability of funds.
This investment addresses challenges unique to rural western Nebraska by delivering teacher training, coaching and high-quality literacy materials to schools that often struggle with limited resources and vast geographic distances. Many educators in our region work in isolation—sometimes as the only teacher at their grade level—with few chances for collaboration. Long travel times also make professional development difficult to access. The CLSD grant serves as a vital bridge, ensuring that even the most remote schools can benefit from the same evidence-based resources and support available to larger districts.
In total, the grant will support 10 districts, 13 schools, more than 200 teachers and over 3,000 students across the Panhandle.
Why Literacy Matters
Literacy is foundational to all learning. By equipping educators with structured literacy strategies grounded in the Science of Reading, ESU 13 fosters consistent expectations for reading and writing, promotes skill transfer and strengthens critical thinking. Teachers and instructional leaders will also collaborate to apply these strategies in ways that best meet the needs of their students, ensuring both engagement and long-term academic success.
“Early Literacy has been my passion since my first job as a kindergarten teacher almost thirty years ago,” said Deirdre Amundsen, Director of Professional Learning at ESU 13. “This funding allows our team to provide intentional, relevant training to teachers directly tied to their district’s reading materials. The most exciting part is that teachers can apply the strategies learned with the students in their classrooms immediately.”
Meeting Literacy Goals Across All Grade Levels
Participating districts included in the ESU 13 award are Alliance, Banner County, Bayard, Garden County, Gering, Gordon-Rushville, Minatare, Mitchell, Morrill and Sidney. (Scottsbluff Public Schools received a separate CLSD award of $1.29 million over five years.)
Each district will develop a comprehensive literacy plan and convene leadership teams to guide local efforts. Teachers will engage in professional learning grounded in the Science of Reading, including:
- WORDS Project (K–5): Coaching, leadership training, and classroom support.
- LETRS Training (K–5): Expert-led professional development to sustain high-quality literacy instruction in rural schools.
- Secondary Literacy (6–12): Leadership training, and online professional learning designed for middle and high school teachers, many of whom have had little prior training in how students learn to read.
“Through the CLSD grant, educators will now have access to training, tools, and ongoing support that will empower them to make the greatest possible impact for their students,” said Stephanie Smith, Prek-3 Literacy Coach.
Regional Impact
Together, these investments ensure that rural schools across the Panhandle of Nebraska—often separated by long distances, limited resources and professional isolation—have equitable access to the tools, knowledge and support needed to help every child become a stronger reader.
About Educational Service Unit 13
Educational Service Unit 13 (ESU 13) is dedicated to serving, supporting and empowering schools, early education programs and communities across the Nebraska Panhandle. ESU 13 provides essential services in staff development, technology, alternative education, early childhood, special education and psychological and behavioral health.
Spanning 14,181 square miles across 11 counties, ESU 13 proudly serves over 14,000 students, young adults and children from birth to age 21. In addition, ESU 13 supports more than 1,500 educators, administrators, early development providers and educational support staff in 21 school districts across the region.