U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige today announced that Kansas will receive more than $6.4 million for the first year of a multi-year Reading First grant to help schools and districts improve children's reading achievement using scientifically proven methods of instruction.

The state's application passed a rigorous review panel that judged the plan against 25 main review criteria. Over six years, Kansas will receive approximately $41.4 million in support, subject to the state's successful implementation and congressional appropriations.

The grant will support improvements in classroom reading instruction including teaching based on what research shows works, early identification and help for reading difficulties, monitoring student progress, and continuous, high-quality professional development for teachers. States will create a statewide infrastructure to steer reform and help school districts that will receive funding under a state-run competition for district subgrants.

"Reading First is a model for what No Child Left Behind seeks to accomplish. The foundation is clear-cut: diagnose and address reading difficulties early; base instruction on what works; give teachers the training they need; constantly assess progress, and develop a state infrastructure to get the job done," Paige said. "By designing instruction around scientific evidence--including the five essential components of proven reading instruction--we will greatly increase the likelihood that all children will learn to read by the end of the third grade."

Kansas plans to hold a competition for eligible school districts to compete for subgrants this May, with the state planning to support schools in some 15 eligible school districts. As part of its professional development plan, the state will hold annual Intensive Reading Academies that will offer four levels of training over the six-year term of the grant, beginning with a grounding in scientifically based reading research and culminating in advanced training in classroom implementation of scientifically based reading programs, materials and assessments.

One of President Bush's first actions after taking office was to make improving children's reading achievement a centerpiece of his education reform agenda. Studies show that when children fail to learn to read early in school, every aspect of school success is affected. Through early diagnosis and help for reading difficulties, academic achievement will be enhanced.

The president designed Reading First around an extensive knowledge base of the essential skills children must have to learn to read. The program reflects the findings of a congressionally mandated, extensive review of scientifically based research on how students learn to read, completed by the National Reading Panel in 2000.

Reading First was passed into law by a bipartisan majority of Congress under the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 and centers on the following priorities:

• raising the caliber and quality of classroom instruction;
• basing instruction on scientifically proven methods;
• providing professional training for educators in reading instruction; and
• supplying substantial resources to support the unprecedented initiative.

To help them develop quality programs and solid Reading First applications, in spring 2002, states had the benefit of three days of assistance during the secretary's Reading Leadership Academies.

State applications undergo a rigorous review by a panel of reading experts, selected by the secretary of education, the National Institute for Literacy, the National Research Council, and the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.

Paige has announced awards to Alabama, American Samoa, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia and Washington.

States that are approved for funding will receive funds under a formula. A list of estimated state grants for FY 2002, FY 2003 and under President Bush's budget request for FY2004 is available at http://www.ed.gov/offices/OUS/Budget04/04StateTables/index.html

NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information about Kansas' plans for Reading First, contact Norma Cregan at 785-296-4906.

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