The U.S. Department of Education today announced that the state of Alaska will receive more than $2.1 million in reading grants to help schools and districts improve children's reading achievement through scientifically proven methods of instruction. In total, over six years, Alaska is set to receive approximately $14.4 million in Reading First funds, subject to the state's successful implementation and congressional appropriations.

"Reading is the foundation of all learning," Secretary of Education Rod Paige said. "Solid support of early reading is a key aspect of No Child Left Behind—the historic education reform law. 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."

Alaska'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, early identification and help for reading difficulties, monitoring student progress and continuous, high-quality professional development for teachers.

Alaska will use about $1.7 million of the grant to make subgrant awards to approximately 14 schools in eligible districts in spring 2004. As part of its professional development plan, Alaska will hold three Beginning Reading Institutes for K-3 teachers, instructional specialists, paraprofessionals and school principals. The institutes will provide initial and follow-up training to develop a conceptual understanding of scientifically based programs and practices. The state will closely monitor the progress of schools and districts participating in Reading First, and will conduct a longitudinal evaluation of its programs.

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. Academic achievement can be enhanced through early diagnosis.

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, which was 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.
• Supplying substantial resources to support the unprecedented initiative.

State applications undergo a rigorous review by a panel of reading experts, selected by the U.S. 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, American Samoa, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, 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 and Wisconsin.

A list of estimated state grants for FY 2002, FY 2003 and FY 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 Alaska's Reading First, contact Paul Prussing at 907-465-8721.

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