An important adjunct to AZ Reads is the No Child Left Behind Act signed by President Bush in January 2002. A cornerstone of this legislation is the Reading First initiative, the largest and yet most focused early reading initiative this country has ever undertaken. Reading First funds are dedicated to help states and local school districts prevent reading difficulties by establishing high-quality comprehensive reading instruction by well-trained teachers in kindergarten through grade three. Targeted for the K-3 classroom, Reading First provides an opportunity for every state to work with its districts to ensure that teachers' instructional practice reflects scientific research, to implement programs based on this research, and to use rigorous assessments with proven validity and reliability that effectively screen, diagnose and monitor the progress of all students.

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azreads@ade.az.gov

• Arizona's Reading First Plan
• Reading Takes Center Stage - Arizona Republic Article

• Professional Resources
• U. S. Department of Education Reading First Resources

• U. S. Department of Education Reading First Resources
• Title I, Part B, ESEA as amended (2001)