The Oklahoma State Department of Education on Thursday announced a new federal grant that will be distributed to qualifying schools over the next five years.Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here.As much as $9 million of the nearly $60 million grant will be sent out this year to public schools that apply and qualify through a competitive grant process.OSDE said schools can use the money to implement literacy programs that fit their students’ needs.“We’re talking about wanting our young people to be able to learn and achieve academic success so they can get a job,” said State Superintendent Ryan Walters.Walters announced the grant would cover the cost of literacy programs in as many as 25 Oklahoma school districts. The grant is a part of a national push to advance literacy skills, reading and writing, for students from birth through the 12th grade.>> Download the KOCO 5 App“One of the things we did is we made sure to apply for grants that give us the flexibility so that districts can use the funds as they need to, to improve literacy,” Walters said.Districts who apply for the funding will need to show the program they set up will address early language development, literacy in elementary and middle schools, or training and professional development for educators.“We want to make sure that no matter how teachers come to our classroom, they have access to the best professional development possible, so they can train, they can be prepared, they can be the best teacher possible,” Walters said.Walters said information on how to qualify and apply for the grants will be sent out to districts in the coming weeks.“We’re going to continue to be a model in improving literacy, improving academics in the state of Oklahoma by tackling these issues, being focused on the basics, so you’re going to see this statewide,” Walters said.When Walters was asked about previous issues with doling out federal and state grants correctly and on time, he told reporters his department also made changes to address any issues.Top HeadlinesTeen charged with killing 4 at Georgia high school denied prior online threats in 2023Raygun apologizes to breakdance community for backlash to her Paris Olympics performanceOklahoma City tenants only given less than one day’s notice stairs would be out of orderCharges dismissed against man accused of 2017 double murder at Del City laundromatCrews battle several fires across Oklahoma City metro