University of Illinois Chicago receives $10M for statewide early education literacy initiative

The University of Illinois Chicago College of Education has announced a $10 million award from the U.S. Department of Education to launch a multiyear training initiative to boost early literacy improvement. The WORDS evidence-based teacher training program will help develop skills in reading instruction, coaching, and data-driven practices. Rolled out to 80 schools statewide in the next five years, the program will combine professional learning, after-school tutoring, and leadership development to strengthen reading proficiency statewide. Built on a model developed in Nebraska, WORDS Illinois aims to close persistent literacy gaps and deliver scalable, classroom-embedded instructional improvements with long-term impact.