SRSD Online Awarded Multi-Million Dollar Grant to Expand Evidence-Based Literacy with AI-Powered Support
SRSD Online and the Arizona Educational Foundation (AEF) have been awarded a major grant to lead a groundbreaking statewide initiative aimed at strengthening literacy instruction in elementary schools through evidence-based practices and innovative artificial intelligence tools.
The $11.5 million project, Pathways to Evidence-Based Literacy, will be funded under the Education Innovation and Research (EIR) expansion grant initiative – a U.S. Department of Education program. Pathways seeks to broaden the use of Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD). SRSD is one of the most rigorously researched and impactful writing instruction models in the world. The project will specifically address a longstanding challenge in education: helping teachers successfully integrate evidence-based practices into real-world classroom schedules and curricula.
AEF and partners SRSD Online and American Institutes for Research (AIR) will collaborate on a statewide initiative to provide SRSD professional development to instructional coaches and teachers. Over the course of the grant term, the team will develop an AI-powered integration course designed to help educators embed SRSD seamlessly into daily instruction—removing barriers that have historically slowed the scale of evidence-based literacy practices.
Over five years, the project will reach more than 75 elementary schools, while the team rigorously evaluates processes and outcomes through a large-scale randomized controlled trial. AEF will serve as project manager; SRSD Online will serve as implementation and development lead; and AIR will serve as independent evaluator.
“This grant positions Arizona as a national leader in literacy innovation,” said Kim Graham, CEO of the Arizona Educational Foundation. “By combining strong evidence, professional learning, and AI-enabled supports, we are helping educators overcome the ‘last mile’ challenge of implementation—so students benefit where it matters most: in the classroom.”
“We know SRSD is powerful. With this grant, we endeavor to carve out a path through which schools can integrate and sustain it, and through which students can become skilled, confident writers for life,” adds Dr. April Camping, Research Director at SRSD Online.
In addition to improving writing outcomes for students, the project will generate open-access tools, policy briefs, and professional learning resources to support replication across districts and states. All grant-funded materials will be made publicly available, extending the project’s impact far beyond Arizona.
For districts wishing to participate in this initiative or for general inquiries, contact Kim Graham, Chief Executive Officer at in**@************on.org.
For general inquiries, contact su*****@********ne.com.
About SRSD Online: SRSD Online empowers educators to transform students’ writing and learning through Self-Regulated Strategy Development: one of the most researched and most effective approaches to writing instruction. Through accessible, high-impact online courses and ongoing coaching, SRSD Online helps schools build internal expertise, sustain improvement over time, and ensure every student gains the tools they need to think, write, and learn more effectively.
About the Arizona Educational Foundation: Since 1983, the Arizona Educational Foundation (AEF) has served at the frontlines of Arizona’s PreK–12 public education system, celebrating excellence and addressing challenges facing schools, educators, and students. Founded by former Arizona State Superintendent of Public Education Carolyn Warner, AEF is the only statewide education foundation charged with elevating Arizona education by showcasing schools and educators that exemplify best practices. The 11 statewide programs and initiatives AEF provides serve as critical interventions that stabilize schools, build leadership pipelines, and expand opportunities for students and districts who too often go without. Public education is the heart of a community, and AEF remains focused on ensuring every student, in every community, has access to the resources, educators, and opportunities required to succeed.
About American Institutes for Research®: The American Institutes for Research® (AIR) is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization that conducts behavioral and social science research and delivers technical assistance to solve some of the most urgent challenges in the U.S. and around the world. From education to workforce development, to healthcare service and delivery, community safety and well-being, nutrition, agriculture, and food security, our work drives toward practical solutions that improve lives for families and communities. We do this work because we are dedicated to closing gaps to opportunity and access across the lifespan. At AIR, we know that improving outcomes begins with systems that work for everyone, so we lead with expertise, follow the evidence, and never stop drawing new connections to fulfill our mission.
