The Providence economy may be sputtering, but the city's students are getting an educational boost.
Ready to Learn Providence, a nonprofit made up of, among others, parents and teachers who seek to prepare young students for school, has won a $3.9 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education, according to a press release from the office of Rep. Jim Langevin D-R.I.
The Early Reading First grant, which will aid five programs in Providence, Pawtucket and Central Falls, is designed to help early-childcare programs nationwide develop ways to prepare preschoolers for kindergarten. Over a three-year period, teachers will receive training and mentoring, and the centers will receive books and other materials.
The organization is one of only 28 nonprofits and school districts to receive the grants, which drew over 450 applicantions.
"Ready to Learn Providence should be commended for their tremendous effort in securing this Early Reading First grant, which reflects the high priority this Congress has placed on ensuring that all children have the preparation and skills they need on their very first day of school," Langevin said in the release. "Reaching children as early as possible and engaging them in reading is key to making them life long learners."
