OMAHA, Neb. -- The U.S. Department of Education today announced that the state of Nebraska will receive $6.2 million in federal reading grant funds to help schools and districts improve children's reading achievement through scientifically proven methods of instruction.

In total, over six years, Nebraska is set to receive approximately $23.8 million in Reading First funds, subject to the state's successful implementation and congressional appropriations.

On behalf of Education Secretary Rod Paige, Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services Robert H. Pasternack made the announcement today at the Eugene Skinner Magnet Center in Omaha. Gov. Mike Johanns, Nebraska Education Commissioner Doug Christensen and Assistant Principal Mary Morrissey joined Pasternack for the announcement.

The Reading First program is the centerpiece of President Bush's sweeping education reform law, the No Child Left Behind Act. Studies show that when children fail to learn how to read during their early school years, every aspect of school success is affected. Academic achievement can be enhanced through early diagnosis.

"Reading is critical to success in today's society," Pasternack said. "That's why a key aspect of No Child Left Behind is the solid support of early reading skills. The basic elements of Reading First are clear: 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 see it through.

"President Bush believes that we can give every child the reading skills they need. That's why his No Child Left Behind Act makes our nation's greatest-ever commitment to reading instruction for every child. "By designing instruction around scientific evidence, Nebraska and other states will help ensure that all children learn to read by the end of the third grade."

Nebraska's Reading First grant of $6.2 million includes all of the state's FY 2002 award and 80 percent of its FY 2003 award.

Nebraska's application passed a rigorous review panel that judged the state's plan against 25 review criteria. The grant will support key improvements in classroom reading instruction, including teaching based on research that shows what works, identifying reading difficulties early and providing help, monitoring student progress and continuing high-quality professional development for teachers.

The state plans to give the bulk of the funds to schools in eligible districts in November 2003. As part of its professional development plan, the state will hold Reading First Teacher Training Institutes. The institutes will provide three-day intensive training in instruction using scientifically based reading research for all teachers in the state. Specialized pre-institute sessions will provide additional training for reading coaches, lead teachers and building administrators. Nebraska will closely monitor the progress of schools and districts participating in Reading First and will conduct an ongoing evaluation of its program.

The Reading First program reflects President Bush's emphasis on the importance of reading. It was designed 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, part of the bipartisan-approved No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, 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.
• Supplying substantial resources to support the unprecedented initiative.

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. Successful states will receive funds under a formula.

Paige has announced awards to Alabama, Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

A list of estimated state grants for FY 2002 - 2004 (under President Bush's budget request) is available at: http://www.ed.gov/about/overview/budget/statetables/index.html

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NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information about Nebraska's Reading First program, please contact Donlynn Rice at 402-471-3240.

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