In an effort to improve reading programs in Massachusetts public schools, the United States Department of Education announced last week it would award a six-year, $100 million grant to the state.

The grant is from the federal Reading First program, a part of the No Child Left Behind Act signed into law early this year in an effort to improve student performance yearly until 2014.

More than 10 other states have also received grants.

“Reading First is helping transform reading instruction from the whims of the past into the most focused, early reading initiative ever undertaken in this nation,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige.

The first $15.3 million will reach Massachusetts in January.

$12.2 million will be allocated to 88 selected schools to benefit kindergarten through third grade reading programs.

Jonathan Palumbo, spokesman for Boston public schools, is optimistic about possible effects of the grant.

“The impact of these funds will spread throughout the system in valuable ways,” he said.

Palumbo also observed that while Boston MCAS scores are above the state average, student reading performance could benefit from additional program funding.

State MCAS scores show that more than half of public school third graders read at their grade level.

“Massachusetts has led the nation in successfully implementing new reading improvement programs, helping millions of children learn to read better,” U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy said in a press release last week.

“Students need to read proficiently early in their academic careers,” Palumbo said. “The money will be helpful to continue the progress we have already made.”

Reading programs at local schools must have scientifically proven methods documenting student progress to be eligible for money from the grant.

The selected schools can then use the funds to purchase instruction materials, train teachers, and administer diagnostic tests to respond to students’ needs.

However, the Board of Education has issued no official list of “approved, effective reading programs” according to the official Board of Education website.

Though many schools will not receive funding from the grant, no one has voiced concern over how the funds will be distributed or withheld from certain schools, according to Barbara Gardner, the state associate commissioner of school readiness.

A provision in the law encourages states to disseminate these projects, Gardner said.

A teacher enrichment program is also covered by the grant.

Some of the money will help train 70 master teachers to give seminars on reading for other teachers this summer.

“Schools who don’t get grants will benefit through the summer teacher training program,” Gardner said.