A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

Reading Excellence Act Grant Program Application

1. Letter from Assistant Secretary Judith Johnson

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OFFICE OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY

Dear Applicant:

Thank you for your interest in the new Reading Excellence Program. The Reading Excellence Act amends Title II of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 by adding a reading component. A copy of the legislation is included.

The Reading Excellence Act places an emphasis on the importance of scientifically based research, including findings related to phonemic awareness, systematic phonics, fluency, and reading comprehension, in carrying out these activities. The Reading Excellence Act legislation requires that in order to apply the State Educational agency must have a reading and literacy partnership. Grants will enable State educational agencies to competitively subgrant to local education agencies to fund local reading improvement programs and tutorial assistance programs. The four primary activities to be supported by the grants are: (1) professional development; (2) tutoring; (3) family literacy; and (4) transition programs for kindergarten students.

Included in this application booklet are the instructions and forms needed to submit a complete application to the U. S. Department of Education. This booklet includes information on funding available in FY 1999 school year, the selection criteria that will be used to evaluate applications, and one copy of the Notice Inviting Applications which provides important information regarding the FY 1999 grant competitions.

For more information about other U.S. Department of Education grant and contract opportunities, we encourage you to use the Department?s electronic bulletin board and new ED-NET service. The bulletin board data number is (800) 222-4922 (modem access), and the ED-Net service can be accessed on the Internet at www.ed.gov.

We look forward to receiving your application and appreciate your efforts to promote reading excellence in American education through reading programs.

Sincerely,

Judith Johnson
Acting Assistant Secretary

[Title Page]

[Federal Register Notice Inviting Applications]