Dallas Reading First - Legislation Overview

Background

In1997, Congress asked the Director of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) at the National Institutes of Health, in consultation with the Secretary of Education, to convenea national panel to assess the effectiveness of different approaches used to teach children to read. For over two years, the National Reading Panel (NRP) reviewed research-based findings on reading instruction and held open panel meetings in Washington, DC, and regional meetings across the United States. The National Reading Panel only looked at studies that met the most rigorous standards of scientifically based research. On April 13, 2000, the NRP concluded its work and submitted "The Report of the National Reading Panel: Teaching Children to Read," at a hearing before the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee's Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education.

Preventing Reading Difficulties in Young Children and the National Reading Panel Report were two major documents published supporting the knowledge base educators need to apply scientifically based reading research as they teach young children to read.

As part of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, signed into law on January 8, 2002, stated President Bush's unequivocal commitment to ensuring that every child can read by the end of third grade. To accomplish this goal, the new Reading First initiative significantly increases the federal investment in scientifically based reading instruction programs in the early grades. One major benefit of this approach is reduced identification of children for special education services due to a lack of appropriate reading instruction in their early years.

NCLB established Reading First as a new high-quality, evidence-based program for the students of America. The new Reading First State Grant program makes six-year grants to states, which in turn make competitive subgrants to local communities. Building on a solid foundation of research, 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.

(Retrieved June 30, 2003,from http://www.ed.gov/programs/readingfirst/index.html)

Legislation
No Child Left Behind Act of 2001
View the actual Reading First legislation (Title I, Part B, Subpart 1, of the No Child Left Behind Act).