Reading First

Reading First is a federally funded grant program established under the No Child Left Behind Act.  The program has been developed based on the National Reading Panel Report (2000) that utilizes Scientifically Based Reading Research (SBRR) to improve the teaching of reading in grades Kindergarten through third grade.  The State of Missouri received a grant from the U.S. Department of Education which allows sub grants to be awarded to eligible districts.  Eligible districts are determined by MAP scores and poverty rates.  After submitting a grant application, districts are selected by an independent group of grant readers.

Instruction is driven by assessment.  The benchmark and screening tests from the Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Reading Skills (DIBELS) are used on a regular basis to monitor individual student progress.  Student needs are met by making adjustments in instruction based on these screening tests.  The teachers receive intensive professional development in DIBELS and SBRR and are provided with a reading coach in their building.

Professional Development is also available for other districts under the following priorities:

• Funded districts.
• Districts who applied, but weren't funded.
• Eligible districts who did not apply.
• Other districts within the St. Louis Region.

Professional Development offerings include:

• Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling
• 3 Tier Model Response to Intervention
• DIBELS Administration and Data Analysis
• Differentiated Instruction in the Reading Block
• Literacy Work Stations

Contacts:

Valerie McCarty
Reading First Instructional Specialist
314-692-9714
vmccarty@csd.org

Susan Tan
Reading First Instructional Specialist
314-692-9762
stan@csd.org

Tiffiny Creech
Administrative Assistant
314-692-9756
tcreech@csd.org