Our Position on the Reading Initiative

Success in school starts with reading

Every child can learn

The bar and standards must be raised

“It’s what I call challenging the soft bigotry of low expectations”

George Bush 2004

Reading First

Early reading instruction is the cornerstone

Target K-3 ensuring all children become readers by grade 3

Measure to determine where they are in reading

Assess reading of all students grades 3-8

“We test for a reason, because we want to know” George Bush 2004

What is Reading First?

Educators systematically teach phonics and provide practice in letter-sound relationships

– The sounds of language– Letters of the alphabet– Learning and using new words– Writing letters and sounds

“Our Texas initiative makes even more sense today.” G. Bush

The National Reading Panel – Composed of renowned experts

Investigated scientifically based instruction for early grades

Used best scientific research to guide the teaching of reading

Strove to bring their knowledge base to this initiative

“We need to be mindful of the gravity of the national problem that reading first seeks to solve and how we propose to solve it.” G Bush

Reading First Speaks for Itself

Program is successful Built on scientifically based research 54 SEA’s are receiving reading first funding, as

well as, DC, Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Bureau of Indian Affairs

“If you’ve got something that works, then it makes sense to spread the

News. That’s what we’re talking about, how do we make sure research

that’s done in Washington is shared around the country?” G Bush

This administration’s Reading Initiative has:

Spread awareness of what should be happening in classrooms and in the teacher-training institutions

Shown that a comprehensive solution to the nation’s reading crisis is right in front of our noses.

“If, in another decade, an unacceptable proportion of America’s children still can’t read by grade 4, don’t blame George Bush. Blame the leaders in our states and cities who, offered the solution, didn’t grab it.” http://www.city-journal.org/html/17_1_reading_first.html

PRESENTED BY

Anna SafiTiffany Seal

EDUC 871 Education Policy

February 20, 2008George Mason University

REFERENCES

Amis, K. (2001). Bush Says Reading Is Job 1. Thomas Fordham Institute. School Reform News, July 2001. Accessed online at: http://www.fordhaminstitute.org/institute/publication/publication.cfm?id=108&doc=pdf

Stern, S. (2007). This Bush Education Reform Really Works: Reading First, though much maligned, succeeds in teaching kids to read. City Journal, Winter 2007. Accessed online at: http://www.city-journal.org/html/17_1_reading_first.html

Fletcher, M. A. and VandeHei, J. (2005). Transcript of Bush Interview. Washington Post Sunday, January 16, 2005. Accessed online at: http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A12570-2005Jan15?language=printernterview with