Reading First

• Reading First was established through the No Child Left Behind Act signed into law by President George W. Bush on January 8, 2002.

• The Reading First program is built on the findings of years of scientific research compiled by the National Reading Panel.

• Reading First is a focused effort to enable all students in the United States to become successful early readers.

• Grant money is dedicated to help state and local school districts eliminate the reading deficit by establishing high-quality, comprehensive reading instruction in kindergarten through third grade.

• Using a research-based foundation, 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.

The National Reading Panel identified five key components critical to reading development:

Phonemic Awareness

The ability to hear, identify, and manipulate the individual sounds in spoken words.

Phonics

The knowledge of letter-sound associations and their use to read and spell

Fluency

 The ability to read quickly, accurately, and with expression.

Vocabulary

 The addition of new words to a child's knowledge of word meanings.

Comprehension

 The use of complex processes and strategies to construct, evaluate, and respond to meaning in one or more texts.

To learn more about Reading First, visit these websites:

The National Institute for literacy: www.nifl.gov.

National Reading Panel: www.nationalreadingpanel.org.

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