The Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) program, authorized under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), provides competitive grants to help states and districts strengthen literacy instruction from birth through grade 12.

At Just Right Reader, we help districts turn those funds into accelerated reading achievement by bringing joyful, Science of Reading–aligned literacy materials to classrooms and homes across the country. 

Why CLSD Funding Matters

CLSD funds are designed to strengthen literacy instruction for all learners, particularly those who need additional support, such as:

• Children living in poverty

• English learners

• Students with disabilities and characteristics of dyslexia

• Older striving readers
  
  

To meet CLSD goals, programs must be evidence-based, aligned with the Science of Reading, and proven to deliver measurable results.

Why Districts Choose Just Right Reader for CLSD Funding

Just Right Reader helps districts make every CLSD dollar count with joyful, evidence-based resources proven to accelerate reading achievement at school, home, and everywhere, while providing research-based activities in every book to empower families. 

Science of Reading-Aligned Instruction

• Just Right Reader offers the largest library of Science of Reading–aligned decodables, backed by ESSA Level 2 – Moderate Evidence, and fully aligned with CLSD requirements.
  
  

• Daily, data-driven small-group instruction is explicit, systematic, and tailored to each student’s decoding needs. Instruction starts in the classroom and continues at home with Take-Everywhere Literacy Packs™.
  
  

• Our structured literacy approach supports learners in Tiers 1, 2, & 3, including English learners, striving readers, and students with characteristics of dyslexia.
  

Family Empowerment

• Video phonics lessons are linked via a QR code in each decodable book, and available in 14+ languages.

• High-five coloring on the back of each decodable ensures consistent practice at home and everywhere. 

• Engaging activities in each decodable make reading together fun.
• Customized Family Literacy Nights equip families with tools to support reading at home and everywhere

Plus! District Customization 

• District customization options include your logo on books and backpacks, and personalized video messages from leadership that highlight your commitment to literacy.
• Customized professional development and teacher resources build confidence, consistency, and long-term success in implementation.

Learn more about how Just Right Reader supports CLSD-funded literacy programs on our CLSD Funding Page.

Evidence-Based and Proven to Accelerate Literacy: What the Research Shows

An independent third-party study from LXD Research found that in just five months, students using Just Right Reader Take-Everywhere Literacy Packs™ outperformed peers using competitor decodable books, demonstrating statistically significant reading growth.

The study met ESSA Level 2 – Moderate Evidence criteria.

• Students using Take-Everywhere Literacy Packs™ achieved an average 71-point gain on DIBELS Composite Scores, compared to 61 points for peers using competitor decodable books. Just Right Reader students started with lower scores than the control group and finished with higher scores. 
  
  

• Students outperformed peers in Letter Naming, Phonemic Awareness, and Letter Sounds subtests.
  
  

• 75% of teachers reported that students showed increased confidence in reading.
  
  

• 46% of students using Take-Everywhere Literacy Packs ™ demonstrated accelerated growth above or well above average.

Teachers reported that the ready-to-use lessons, engaging books, and phonics video support make implementation simple and effective. 

Science of Reading + Family Empowerment = Accelerated Achievement

At Just Right Reader, family empowerment is one of our core values, intentionally built into every resource we develop. Based on study surveys, families appreciated how simple it is to support their child’s reading growth at home. 71% of caregivers used the video phonics lessons on each book (available in 14+ languages); 90% found them easy to use.

Read more about the study results here. 

3,000+ Districts Love Just Right Reader

“Not only do the teachers love the decodables, but the students are loving them even more. They want to pick them up and read them to themselves and to their friends. We have already noticed a huge improvement in their reading fluency!” —Jennifer Sweeney, Elementary Literacy Coach, Gilmer County Schools, GA

“Just Right Reader's Take-Everywhere Literacy Packs™ have been pivotal in tailoring reading instruction to the specific needs of our students.” — Dr. Kimberley James, Superintendent, Willis ISD, TX

“These readers allow us to put ‘just right’ books into the hands of students who need extra practice, which is a triumph in our minds.” — Amy Taganashi, Principal, Village Elementary Charter School, Santa Rosa, CA

“Before receiving the books, I wasn't sure how to help him or what to do to have him practice reading. The books helped me feel more confident and willing to support my child's reading.”— Parent of Kindergartener

Ready to Accelerate Reading Achievement?

Let’s make every CLSD dollar count for your students, your teachers, and your community.

Meet with our team to explore how your district can use CLSD funding to accelerate reading growth at school, home, and everywhere.