Closing the Achievement Gap through the Reading First Program

No Child Left Behind (NCLB) places significant emphasis on closing the achievement gap in reading through the Reading First program.

Reading First provides nearly $1 billion in funding to states and districts to apply research-based instructional practices and assessments to improve reading instruction for K-3 students.

The research shows that if students are behind in reading at the end of third grade, the likelihood that they will ever reach proficiency is slim, and that's why Reading First focuses on effective early reading instruction. (Visit our Web site for Reading First resources, including reading research information.)

Tools for Teachers:

Georgia has made considerable gains in its efforts to close the achievement gap. The U.S. Department of Education recently highlighted Georgia's achievement gains in its daily publication—Extra Credit.

Bea Underwood Elementary School in Parachute, Colo., boosted reading scores and greatly increased parental involvement through its Reading First grant. The story was in the Glenwood Springs Post Independent.