The Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) program is a competitive federal grant program that funds literacy activities for children from birth through grade 12 (U.S. Department of Education, 2024).
What Are the Evidence Requirements for CLSD?
CLSD requires states and the districts they subgrant to invest funds in evidence-based literacy activities, strategies, and interventions (2024). The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), outlines specific standards that meet this requirement (U.S. Department of Education, n.d.).
ESSA categorizes evidence into four levels. These levels apply to specific outcomes, including reading, math, science, social-emotional learning, attendance, and family engagement, rather than to a program as a whole (Evidence for ESSA, n.d.-d). They are assigned by clearinghouses, such as the U.S. Department of Education's What Works Clearinghouse and Johns Hopkins' Evidence for ESSA (Institute of Education Sciences, n.d.; Evidence for ESSA, n.d.-a).
Levels I through III each require a well-designed study demonstrating a statistically significant positive effect on student outcomes and differ only in study design (U.S. Department of Education, 2023; 2024). Level I signifies strong evidence and requires a randomized, experimental study; Level II signifies moderate evidence and requires a quasi-experimental comparison study; and Level III, which signifies promising evidence, requires a correlational study with statistical controls for selection bias (U.S. Department of Education, 2023). A program rated as Level IV demonstrates a rationale, meaning its logic model is informed by research suggesting it is likely to improve outcomes, but it has not yet been evaluated (U.S. Department of Education, 2023).
CLSD's federal statute requires Level I, II, or III evidence (U.S. Department of Education, 2024). However, some states require Level I or II evidence for CLSD subgrants (CDE, 2020; MSDE, 2025). Districts should confirm their state's requirements before including Level III programs in their applications. ESSA-rated studies can be included in CLSD subgrant applications as supporting documentation for the evidence behind selected programs (Evidence for ESSA, n.d.-a).
What Literacy Programs Meet CLSD Evidence Requirements?
Classroom Libraries for Reading
Classroom Libraries are collections of decodable books, ranging from a compact starter set to a full deluxe library, providing PreK through grade 12 classrooms with phonics-aligned titles for small-group and independent practice.
Research on Classroom Libraries has found ESSA Level II Evidence for reading achievement (Jimenez et al., 2025a). Students using Classroom Libraries gained about 5% more reading growth over a semester than peers using other classroom materials (Jimenez et al., 2025a). They also pulled ahead on every foundational reading skill measured, including letter sounds, word reading, decoding, and reading fluency (Jimenez et al., 2025a). In classrooms with the strongest teacher engagement, students' reading growth on NWEA MAP Growth also outpaced their peers by 4 points (Jimenez et al., 2025a).
Take-Everywhere Literacy Packs™ for Reading and Family Engagement
Take-Everywhere Literacy Packs™ are decodable books personalized to each student's phonics level, delivered regularly to each student, gift-wrapped in a drawstring bag they can take everywhere, for PreK through grade 5.
Research on Take-Everywhere Literacy Packs™ establishes ESSA Level II Evidence for both reading achievement and family engagement (Jimenez et al., 2025b; Evidence for ESSA, n.d.-b; n.d.-c). Students using Take-Everywhere Literacy Packs™ gained the equivalent of more than 3 extra weeks of reading growth in a single semester (Jimenez et al., 2025b). Forty-six percent grew fast enough to be classified as above-average readers for the year, compared to 34% of peers using other decodable materials (Jimenez et al., 2025b). Seventy-one percent of caregivers used the decodables' QR-linked video lessons at home, demonstrating family engagement as an additional outcome (Jimenez et al., 2025b).
Get Help With Your CLSD Application
Just Right Reader can help districts interested in using CLSD funds for Classroom Libraries or Take-Everywhere Literacy Packs™ navigate the CLSD subgrant application process, from aligning materials with requirements to preparing supporting documentation.
Visit our CLSD Funding Page to learn more.
References
- Colorado Department of Education. (2020). Application for grants under the Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) program [Grant application]. U.S. Department of Education. https://www.ed.gov/sites/ed/files/2020/09/S371C200008-Colorado-Department-of-Education-Redacted.pdf
- Evidence for ESSA. (n.d.-a). Frequently asked questions. Center for Research and Reform in Education, Johns Hopkins University. https://www.evidenceforessa.org/frequently-asked-questions/
- Evidence for ESSA. (n.d.-b). Just Right Reader Take-Everywhere Literacy Packs™ – Reading. Center for Research and Reform in Education, Johns Hopkins University. https://www.evidenceforessa.org/program/just-right-reader-take-everywhere-literacy-packs/
- Evidence for ESSA. (n.d.-c). Just Right Reader Take-Everywhere Literacy Packs™ – Family Engagement. Center for Research and Reform in Education, Johns Hopkins University. https://www.evidenceforessa.org/program/just-right-reader-take-everywhere-literacy-packs-family-engagement/
- Evidence for ESSA. (n.d.-d). Home. Center for Research and Reform in Education, Johns Hopkins University. https://www.evidenceforessa.org/
- Institute of Education Sciences. (n.d.). ESSA tiers of evidence. What Works Clearinghouse, U.S. Department of Education. https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/essa
- Jimenez, S., Ilievski, I., Mason, M. L., & Schechter, R. L. (2025a). Just Right Reader 1st Grade Classroom Libraries cohort efficacy study. LXD Research. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED677149
- Jimenez, S., Ilievski, I., Mason, M. L., & Schechter, R. L. (2025b). Just Right Reader Take-Everywhere Literacy Packs™ efficacy study: Examining the impact on kindergarten students from MOY to EOY 2025. LXD Research. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED677147
- Maryland State Department of Education. (2025, February). Read and Lead Maryland: The Maryland Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) grant, FY 2024-2025 grant information guide (GIG). Office of Teaching and Learning, Literacy Branch. https://www.marylandpublicschools.org/about/Documents/OFPOS/GAC/GrantPrograms/CLSD/CLSD-GIG-A.pdf
- U.S. Department of Education. (2023, September 28). Non-regulatory guidance: Using evidence to strengthen education investments. https://www.ed.gov/media/document/non-regulatory-guidance-using-evidence-strengthen-education-investments-2023-46305.pdf
- U.S. Department of Education. (2024, April 23). Applications for new awards; Comprehensive Literacy State Development. Federal Register, 89 FR 30338. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/04/23/2024-08578/applications-for-new-awards-comprehensive-literacy-state-development
- U.S. Department of Education. (n.d.). Leveraging evidence-based practices for local school improvement. https://www.ed.gov/teaching-and-administration/lead-and-manage-my-school/state-support-network/ssn-resources/leveraging-evidence-based-practices-for-local-school-improvement
