The University of Alabama is launching a new initiative aimed at helping young students in rural communities develop stronger reading skills, thanks to a $9.9 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
The five-year initiative, known as Project LIFT, will provide specialized reading instruction to students in kindergarten through second grade who struggle with literacy, including children with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Through the program, teachers at 75 rural Alabama schools will receive training to help students strengthen their reading abilities using research-based instructional methods.
Dr. Greg Benner, a professor of special education at the University of Alabama, is helping lead the initiative. He believes every child deserves an opportunity to learn to read, regardless of their background, disability or where they live.
Project LIFT will use a phonics-based instructional program called Friends on the Block, which focuses on helping children recognize letters, understand sounds and develop essential reading skills.
Students will participate in 25-minute instructional sessions three times a week. Lessons will incorporate repetition, interactive activities and games designed to make learning enjoyable.
The program builds on previous research involving students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Researchers found that participating students made meaningful improvements in their reading abilities, with many maintaining those gains after the program ended.
In addition to helping students, Project LIFT will focus on preparing teachers to continue providing effective reading instruction long after the five-year grant concludes.
During the first year, university researchers will work directly with rural schools and educators to determine how the program can best meet the needs of their students.
The initiative represents a significant investment in rural education, where access to specialized instructional resources can be limited.
For communities across rural Alabama, including those in the state’s Black Belt region, programs like Project LIFT highlight the importance of expanding educational opportunities and helping students build a strong foundation for academic success.
The University of Alabama has not yet publicly identified which 75 rural schools will participate in the initiative.
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