Sponsored by Capstone
Monetary Amount: $2,500
Deadline: February 1
APPLY NOW
The application is behind an AASL member wall. You must log in (upper right-hand corner of page) and be a current AASL member to access the form. Please email acline@ala.org if you are having issues accessing the application. For questions regarding your membership please contact membership@ala.org or call 1-800-545-2433 (option 1).
Overview
The AASL Innovative Reading Grant supports the planning and implementation of a unique and innovative program for K-9th learners which motivates and encourages reading, especially with struggling readers.
Eligibility
Applicant must be personal member of AASL.
Criteria
All applications for the grant will be judged against the following criteria:
- This award is for a successful reading project that demonstrates the potential to improve reading in K-9th learners. The project or reading program should promote the importance of reading, facilitate the learners' literacy development, and be supported by current reading research, practice, and policy.
-
The potential to measure and evaluate the impact and reading improvement for its learners.
-
Reading program must be specifically designed for learners (grades K-9) in the school library setting.
-
Program must encourage innovative ways to motivate and involve learners in reading. Existing commercial programs will not be considered.
-
Project should demonstrate potential to impact student learning, especially reading.
-
Originality of project and methodology.
-
Potential for replication of the program should be apparent.
-
Demonstration of the ability of the applicant(s) to undertake and successfully complete the project.
-
A project plan that includes a timeline, budget, and clarity of purpose.
-
Research should be evidence-based and scholarly in nature.
-
Rankings based on a rubric that correlates with the ratings sheet.
-
The grant recipient may be invited to present a program at a future AASL National Conference after the study has been completed and the results known.
-
The grant recipient may be invited to write an article for Knowledge Quest that delineates their reading incentive project and demonstrate their successes, trials, and recommendations for improving so others can replicate the project.
Download Criteria & Rating Sheets 
* Please note: This downloadable version is for informational purposes only. All applications must be submitted online, via the Apply Now button that will appear at the top of the page when the next award season opens in early September.
Questions
Allison Cline 
Deputy Executive Director
Recipients
| Year | Recipient | School |
| 2023 | Charlotte Chung | Suncrest Elementary School Morgantown, West Virginia |
|
|
||
| 2022 | Samantha Archibald Mora | Wood River Middle School Hailey, Idaho |
| 2021 | Karen Snay | South Elementary School St. Peter, Minnesota |
| 2020 | Stefanie Throndson | New Hampton Elementary New Hampton, Iowa |
| 2019 | Susan Gauthier | East Baton Rouge Parish (Louisiana) Schools |
| 2018 | Judy Deichman | Nottoway Middle School Crewe, Virginia |
| 2017 | Alison Kirkpatrick |
River Road High School Amarillo, Texas |
| 2016 | Andrea Catania-Stephenson |
El Camino Fundamental High School Sacramento, California |
| 2015 | Clarice Marchena |
Dos Puentes Elementary School Manhattan, New York |
| 2014 | Christina Genay |
Quarles Elementary School Winchester, Virginia |
| 2013 | Panagiotis Stathopoulos | de Paul School Louisville, Kentucky |
| 2012 | Kristine Klopp |
Lindbergh Elementary School Madison, Wisconsin |
| 2011 | Shanna Miles | Tech High School Atlanta, Georgia |
| 2010 | Myra Oleynik |
Bower Hill Elementary School Venetia, Pennsylvania |
| 2009 | Cathleen Friedmann |
Metairie Park Country Day School Metairie, Louisiana |
| 2008 | Barbara Powell-Schager |
Big Shanty Intermediate School Kennesaw, Georgia |
| 2007 | Nancy Baumann |
Barnett Shoals Elementary School Athens, Georgia |
"I’m so grateful to AASL and Capstone for selecting my project as the recipient of the Innovative Reading Grant. Suncrest Elementary School is home to an increasingly diverse population, including many English language learners and students who read in languages other than English. With this grant, we will significantly expand the number of books in languages other than English in our school library. This will help us to ensure that all students see themselves reflected in our school library!"