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Reading First Graphic

Reading First is an ambitious national initiative to help every young child in every state become a successful reader. This effort is based on high expectations for what can and should happen for all students: that instructional decisions will be guided by the best available research.

  • 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.

  • All states have the potential to receive Reading First grants. After the states receive their funding, they will then award sub-grants to local communities on the basis of a simple competitive process.

  • Reading First will provide funds to train teachers in the essential components of reading (phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension) and to select and administer screening, diagnostic and classroom-based instructional reading assessments to identify those children who may be at risk of reading failure. Funds are also provided for professional development for special education teachers, kindergarten through grade 12.

Reading First

2008 Virginia Reading First Evaluation Report


The Virginia Reading and Literacy Partnership Committee Presentation, June 2008


Early Reading First

Eligible Early Reading First School Divisions, January 2008


Reading First Localities 2008-2009

Reading First in Virginia Professional Development

Presentation in PDF Format

Publications and Resources

Virginia Reads: Every Minute Counts
(As approved by the USDOE)

ASSESSMENT:
Summary of Assessments
DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills)
Use the following pages to print and assemble your DIBELS assessment booklets:
Kindergarten Word Use Fluency (PDF)
First grade Word Use Fluency (PDF)
Second grade Word Use Fluency (PDF)
Third grade Word Use Fluency (PDF)

Instructional Interventions That Have Proven to Be Successful
with Low-Achieving Students

Consumer Guide Reading

Reading First Overview and Guidance

What Is Reading First

Presentations and Research by Elfreida (Freddy) Heibert
Elementary Reading Program Planning and Implementation Tool



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