Ready for Kindergarten Grant

The Ready for Kindergarten (R4K) Grant is a grant program administered by the Division of Early Childhood at the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). The Early Childhood Assessment System includes the Ready for Kindergarten (R4K) assessment system and the Early Learning Assessment (ELA), which aligns with the new Maryland Early Learning Standards. Data from the R4K are used to inform teachers, families and schools about the learning needs of students as they enter Kindergarten. The R4K Grant provides funding for professional learning initiatives, the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential for Prekindergarten Assistant Teachers, the planning for a coordinated Prekindergarten mixed delivery enrollment process, as well as accreditation in the Maryland EXCELS program. Grant funds must be used to support initiatives for continuous improvement using the R4K comprehensive assessment system for Prekindergarten and Kindergarten. This includes the fidelity of the administration and professional development focused on the reliability of the assessment, data-based instructional decision-making, and research-based content and pedagogical best practices.

House Bill 1300 Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, Education Article §5–230 PURPOSE Provide support for the administration of the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (KRA) and professional learning activities to improve teacher practices in order to increase Prekindergarten students’ readiness for Kindergarten and to support Kindergarten students’ learning. R4K Grant funds also support program credentialing and coordinate with private child care providers.

GRANT PERIOD June 15, 2022 – December 30, 2023

Eligibility

Local School Systems (LSSs) are eligible to apply for funding.

When will the application be open? 

This Grant Information Guide (GIG) was released on May 6, 2022. Proposals are due no later than 5:00 p.m. on June 3, 2022.

How do I apply?

Grant applications must be submitted by June 3, 2022, via email to Erika.Anderson@maryland.gov. Download the R4K Application here, complete it, and save as “Name of LEA_R4K23 Grant Proposal”. In the email subject line, write “R4K FY23 Grant Proposal”.

Who do I contact if I have questions?

Erika Anderson Education
Program Specialist
Early Learning Branch Division of Early Childhood
(410) 767-0646
Erika.anderson@maryland.gov

What if I need help with the application?

The MSDE will hold two customer service support sessions for interested applicants. During these sessions, MSDE personnel will provide an overview of the Grant Information Guide, and proposal requirements and opportunities for LEAs to ask questions. Early Learning Supervisors and Coordinators will be invited to attend. To register for a session, send an email to Erika.anderson@maryland.gov.

See dates and times below:

• May 9, 2022 from 8:30am – 9:30am
• May 11, 2022 from 12:30pm – 1:30pm