Official Site of The State of New Jersey

Division: Teaching and Learning

Office: LEAR

View Published NGO Document (Microsoft Word)  

Purpose: 

The Building Responsive Instruction through Data-Guided Evaluation (BRIDGE) grant supports the implementation of evidence-based data protocols to inform tier one literacy instruction in grades kindergarten through grade three (K-3), in alignment with State law. Through this grant opportunity, Local Education Agencies (LEAs) are encouraged to seek innovative ways to use data protocols to inform literacy instruction at the tier one level. Although this primary focus for data is to inform decisions around literacy for all students, there are other considerations that factor into a successful program:

• Literacy instruction should be inclusive of all the components of sound and well-researched literacy instruction, including background, vocabulary, language structures, verbal reasoning, literacy knowledge, phonological awareness, decoding and sight recognition for these to lead to increased comprehension and fluency. 
• LEAs and schools should create a way to monitor progress toward literacy goals using assessment data, high quality instructional materials, curriculum, effective tier one instruction, and set goals that meet the needs of all students for these are all essential to the success of this grant. 
• LEA leaders should identify and create a Leadership Team that includes administrators, teachers and others who have access to data to make informed decisions around effective literacy goals for tier one instruction. The team should learn to use data protocols to evaluate data, create innovative practices that foster growth and implement well-researched high quality instructional materials. The team should have structures in place to reflect on goals and to make improvements to meet the needs of students during tier one instruction. 

The New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) has established a twelve (12) month, year two continuation grant program. This year two grant program is open to New Jersey LEAs who received funding through a competitive process in year one. Please refer to Appendix A of the NGO for a list of eligible LEAs.

Based on the availability of FY26 state appropriations, this grant program will begin June 1, 2026, and will end on May 31, 2027.    

Eligible Agencies: LEAs that received the BRIDGE grant in the 2025-2026 grant period

Grant Type: Continuation

Number of Award(s) Anticipated: 19

Total Amount Available: $570,000

Application Due Date: 04/30/2026