What is Reading First?

Reading First is a focused, nationwide effort to enable all students to become successful early readers. It is a federal initiative authorized by the amendments to the Title I, Part B, Suppart 1 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act through the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. The ultimate purpose of the Act is to ensure that all children read at grade level in English by the end of third grade. In support of this goal, funds are provided to states to support comprehensive, scientific, reading research-based programs to improve reading instruction at selected Reading First schools, as well as more broadly in the state. Building off of the success of its predecessor, Reading Excellence Act, Washington Reading First achieves this goal through intense professional development and technical assistance support of Reading First sub grantees throughout the state.

Reading First at Miller County R-III

Miller County R-III Schools was awarded a Reading First Grant in 2004. We are in our fourth year of implementation. Through this grant, our school has been able to update our kindergarten through third grade reading program. The grant has given us the opportunity to transform our classrooms with updated reading materials and modernize the technology for our students. Our teachers have received extensive training in the areas of fluency, comprehension, phonics, phonemic awareness, and vocabulary with the latest research-based techniques.

How does Reading First work?

Our uninterrupted 90-minute reading block is structured in an attempt to address the various learning styles of students. During this time, students will be engaged in the five focus areas of vocabulary, phonics, phonemic awareness, comprehension, and fluency. These areas are addressed in whole group instruction, small group instruction, and learning centers to reinforce the material covered. Students that need additional help receive reinforcement with intervention groups. These groups function with the purpose of helping the students reach the appropriate reading levels for their future success.

Reading First Success
	After our first year of implementation, we were beginning to see a positive trend occurring. Students were responding to the program with favorable outcomes. The second year proved to be even better. We had more students scoring in the top two areas of the MAP test in the third grade and our kindergarten through second grade students were above the national average on their Terra Nova tests

Questions?
	If you have any questions or would like to know more about our program, feel free to contact Twana Turner, Reading Coach at 573-369-2375.