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From Iain Cook-Bonney
R e a d i n
F i r s t
T
HE
F
ACTS
ABOUT
…
What is Reading First?
Reading First is one of the most importantcomponents of President Bush’s
No Child Left Behind Act
—the bipartisan lawto improve American education. It sets aside $900 million this year to ensurethat schools use only scientifically based instruction and teaching methods.
Why are scientifically based programsimportant?
When it comes to our childrenwe can’t afford to use fads or fashions.
The Food and Drug Administrationnever lets a new drug onto the marketuntil it has gone through strict safetytests and scientific study because therisks are just too high. So, too, ineducation we cannot let teachingmethods be tried out on childrenwithout scientific evaluation.
Reading First doesn’t just protectyoung minds, it encourages schools to use the reading instructionalready proven by science.
Why do we need Reading First?
For two decades reading achievementhas been flat. Less than one in three fourth-graders is deemed “proficient” inreading at grade level.
By 12
th
grade only 40 percent of seniors are proficientin reading for their grade.
America can do better.
H
OW
R
EADING
F
IRST
W
ILL
H
ELP
C
HILDREN
L
EARN
TO
R
EAD
:
Every Reading First grant will do four things in each state:
Encourage comprehensive reforms based on science.
Ensure early and ongoing assessment of every child’s progress using the bestanalytical tools.
Provide professional development and support for teachers.
Help monitor reading achievement gains in grades K-3.
Reading First doesn’t just spend more for reading. It spends more money,
more wisely
.
Reading First requires that every state evaluate how resources are being used in itsreading initiatives, where there are gaps in current instruction, how money can bespent to better teach children, and whether teachers are getting the support theyneed to teach reading better.
When teachers use curricula and methods that are based on sound scientificevidence, they cannot reach children effectively.
www.NoChildLeftBehind.gov1-888-814-NCLB
0204060801001992 1994 1998 2000
Percentage of FourthGraders ReadingProficiently
Reading First ensures federal grants will go only to those programs that willhelp teachers teach and help students excel.
The
No Child Left Behind Act
created a Reading First Expert Review Panel made upof more than 70 researchers, experienced reading specialists and otherprofessionals who understand the need for scientifically based reading and theimportance of early reading skills. Early reading translates into better learning andmore opportunities for our youth.
www.NoChildLeftBehind.gov1-888-814-NCLB
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| Upload Date: | 01/23/2008 |
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