Pittman and Struzzi Announce Structured Literacy Grants for Homer-Center, Penns Manor Area School Districts

October 20, 2026

HARRISBURG – State Sen. Joe Pittman (R-Indiana) and State Rep. Jim Struzzi (R-Indiana) announced Homer-Center and Penns Manor Area School Districts received Structured Literacy Grants from the Pennsylvania Department of Education totaling a combined $261,480.

“I am pleased to announce Homer-Center School District will receive $140,401 and Penns Manor Area School District will receive $121,079 in Structured Literacy Grants.” Struzzi said. “The Structured Literacy Grants provide financial assistance to eligible schools to help them build the systems, instructional capacity, and evidence-based resources to improve literacy.”

"Giving school districts more tools to continue to improve students' reading skills is a great step towards setting them up for a brighter future," Pittman said. "I am pleased Homer-Center and Penns Manor Area school districts will benefit from these grants, which can open doors for them to access expanded literacy resources."

Grant funds may be used to support activities such as:
• Purchasing High-Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM) aligned to Structured Literacy and the Science of Reading.
• Acquiring PDE-approved universal reading screening assessments for students in grades K–3.
• Supporting educator participation in PDE-approved Structured Literacy professional development.
• Developing local implementation plans that align curriculum, assessment, intervention, and professional learning.
• Building sustainable literacy systems through coaching, data-based decision making, and Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS-Reading).
• Strengthening collaboration among district leaders, principals, literacy coaches, and instructional staff to ensure consistent implementation across schools.

“Another important feature of this grant is the ability of our local school districts to select materials, programs, and strategies that work best for our communities,” Struzzi added. “I am proud to support this funding, made possible through bipartisan efforts in both the House and Senate.”

Representative Jim Struzzi
62nd District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Charlie O’Neill
717.787.1711
coneill@pahousegop.com
repstruzzi.com / Facebook.com/RepStruzzi