Emporia State University’s long-standing commitment to advancing childhood literacy in Lyon, Osage and Coffey counties has been strengthened by a generous $2.5 million grant recently received from the Walter S. & Evan C. Jones Testamentary Trust, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee.
Through the efforts of faculty from The Teachers College, ESU’s Mobilizing Literacy Initiative has produced transformative results among school districts in the tri-county region. This grant will provide $500,000 annually over five years, helping ESU expand the initiative’s reach and create opportunities for students from The Teachers College to take part in the work.
“This is a really great collaboration between the Jones Trust and Emporia State University,” said Dr. Sara Schwerdtfeger, dean of The Teachers College. “It shows our community involvement, community connection and support of early literacy. It's just a great project.”
Funded through previous Jones Trust grants, the Mobilizing Literacy Initiative has fostered collaboration between ESU, regional school districts and community organizations to promote access to early learning opportunities and improve literacy outcomes for young children.
In the last five years, ESU’s Mobilizing Literacy Initiative has:
- Expanded preschool and early learning opportunities across participating districts
- Expanded family engagement efforts through literacy events, home learning supports and ESU’s Literacy Bridge initiative
- Continued collaboration among districts to strengthen instructional alignment and regional literacy systems
- Increased access to literacy-rich classroom environments through the Mobilizing Literacy Purposeful Play Initiative
- Distributed 40 Purposeful Play classroom packages, including durable classroom furniture, literacy materials and instructional resources
- Created professional learning opportunities for pre-k and kindergarten educators focused on early literacy instruction and Science of Reading-aligned practices
“With Mobilizing Literacy grant support, we have established a fully funded, universal preschool model that provides essential resources and transportation, ensuring all 3- and 4-year-old students are both preschool- and kindergarten-ready,” said Faith Flory, superintendent of Sante Fe Trail USD 434.
One of the initiative’s leading successes has been a dramatic increase in third-grade English Language Arts College and Career Ready (CCR) outcomes among Lyon, Osage and Coffey school districts. From 2024 to 2025, the tri-county’s regional CCR average increased from 34.48 percent to 53.11 percent.
“Continued focus on early literacy, family engagement and access to high-quality early-learning opportunities will help ensure that more students enter school prepared for success,” said ESU’s Dr. Sandra Bequette, director of the Mobilizing Literacy Initiative.