The Reading First program provides assistance to states and districts to establish scientifically based reading programs for students enrolled in kindergarten through grade three. Funds support increased professional development to ensure that all teachers have the skills they need to teach these programs effectively. The program also supports the use of screening and diagnostic tools and classroom-based instructional reading assessments to measure how well students are reading and to monitor their progress.

Introduction

• The No Child Left Behind Act signed into law by President George W. Bush on January 8, 2002, established Reading First as a new, high-quality evidence-based program for the students of America.
• The Reading First initiative builds on the findings of years of scientific research, which, at the request of Congress, were compiled by the National Reading Panel.
• Ensuring that more children receive effective reading instruction in the early grades is of critical importance to the President and the nation.

Overview

• Reading First is a focused nationwide effort to enable all students to become successful early readers.
• Funds are dedicated to help states and local school districts eliminate the reading deficit by establishing high-quality, comprehensive reading instruction in kindergarten through grade 3.
• Building on a solid foundation of research, the program is designed to select, implement, and provide professional development for teachers using scientifically based reading programs, and to ensure accountability through ongoing, valid and reliable screening, diagnostic, and classroom-based assessment.

Forms/Resources

• Alaska's Approved Reading First Application - PDF (4,222 KB)
• Alaska Participation Form - MS Word
• Section 4: Classroom Level Impact - PDF
• Reading First Selection Criteria For Awarding Subgrants - PDF
• Reading First Timeline - PDF
• Reading First Core and Supplemental Program List - PDF
• Reading First School Selection Form - PDF
• Reading First Eligible Districts - PDF
• Reading First School Readiness Survey - PDF
• Proposed Funding - PDF
• Budget School-Level Funding - PDF
• US Department of Education
  • Reading First
  • Early Reading First
• The Partnership for Reading

If you have any questions concerning Title IB, Reading First, please contact Paul Prussing.

Updated 9/02/08