BISMARCK, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – State Superintendent Kirsten Baesler says 15 North Dakota communities will get more than $27 million dollars to help students improve their reading ability.

Baesler says the federal “Striving Readers” grant will be allocated to the 15 locations over three years.

The money is intended to help improve the literacy skills of disadvantaged children. It will also provide technical assistance and teacher training.

Baesler says the grant will benefit early childhood and kindergarten children and students in elementary, middle and high school.

The first year’s grant amounts are listed below:

Belcourt; $714,277
Bismarck: $2.18 million
Devils Lake: $526,432
Fargo: $864,325
Grafton: $737,494
Jamestown: $404,125
Kidder County: $272,173
Langdon: $77,051
Mandan: $329,958
Minot: $1.45 million
New Town: $897,775
Parshall: $248,469
Rugby: $140,020
South Prairie: $232,684
West Fargo: $1.56 million