What is Reading First?

Reading First is a major federal initiative within the new reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act:  No Child Left Behind. This initiative emphasizes the following practices for teachers of primary grades (K-3) to facilitate gains in student reading achievement:

• Ongoing Professional development in scientifically based reading research (SBRR)
• Use of reading programs based on SBRR
• Explicit and systematic reading instruction based on the five essential components of reading instruction (Phonemic awareness, Phonics, Vocabulary, Fluency, and Comprehension)
• Using student assessment data to plan instruction
• Planning to meet individual students' instructional needs