EARLY READING FIRST

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The program supports the development of early childhood centers of excellence that focus on all areas of development, especially on the early language, cognitive, and pre-reading skills that prepare children for continued school success and that serve primarily children from low-income families.

TYPES OF PROJECTS

Grants are designed to help early childhood centers improve their programs, by creating centers of excellence that provide preschool-age children with language and cognitive skills, and an early reading foundation. Funds must be used to:

• Enhance children’s language, cognitive, and early reading skills through professional development for teachers;
• Provide early language and reading development and instructional materials as developed from scientifically based reading research;
• Provide preschool-age children with cognitive learning opportunities in high quality language and literature-rich environments;
• Use screening assessments to effectively identify preschool children who may be at risk for reading failure; and
• Improve existing early childhood programs by integrating scientifically based reading research into all aspects of the program (including instructional materials, teaching strategies, curricula, parent engagement, and professional development).

Additional Information

Early Reading First, part of the President's "Good Start, Grow Smart" initiative, is designed to transform existing early education programs into centers of excellence that provide high-quality, early education to young children, especially those from low-income families. The overall purpose of the Early Reading First Program is to prepare young children to enter kindergarten with the necessary language, cognitive, and early reading skills to prevent reading difficulties and ensure school success.

For additional information please visit the United States Early Reading First Web site at http://www.ed.gov/programs/earlyreading/index.html. Please note that the Early Reading First grant is administered directly to the local school division by the United States Department of Education.

Eligible Virginia School Divisions.