Ensuring all Michigan children can read by the end of third grade is critical to student achievement and is a key priority of Governor Jennifer Granholm, the State Board of Education and the Michigan Department of Education.
Reading First, part of the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, is a focused nationwide effort to provide States and school districts with support to establish research-based reading programs for students in kindergarten through third grade. Funds will also support a significant increase in professional development to ensure that all teachers have the skills they need to teach these reading programs effectively. Additionally, the program provides assistance to States and districts in preparing classroom teachers to screen, identify and eliminate reading barriers facing their students, receive support to apply scientifically based reading research.
The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) is one of the first state education departments to be awarded and to implement Reading First programs in the nation.
Here you will find information and resources on Reading First and the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. In addition, this site contains examples of successful reading instruction, and information for Reading First district and school team members.
If you want to learn more about Reading First visit the Reading First in Michigan page that is part of this Web site.