The purpose of Reading First is to ensure that all children learn to read well by the end of third grade.  Quite simply, Reading First focuses on what works.  The program supports proven methods of early reading instruction in classrooms.  Federal funds were first awarded to Rhode Island on September 30, 2003.

The Rhode Island Reading First Program:

• provides the necessary assistance to districts and schools to establish research-based reading instruction for students in kindergarten through third grade.
• focuses on providing high-quality and sustained professional development to ensure that all teachers, including special education and ESL teachers, have the knowledge and skills that they need to teach reading effectively. 
• provides assistance for the selection, administration, and interpretation of screening, diagnostic, classroom-based progress monitoring, and outcome assessments with proven validity and reliability.  This enables teachers to measure where students are, monitor their progress, and provide any required intervention and/or support.

The Rhode Island Reading First Program gives teachers the skills and support they need to teach all children to read fluently by the end of third grade.

Student achievement and poverty determine a school’s eligibility.  Funds are awarded through a competitive grant process.

RHODE ISLAND READING FIRST SCHOOLS

COHORT 1 (first awarded January 30, 2004):

 Providence Schools: 

• Alfred Lima Elementary School

• Alan Shawn Feinstein on Broad Street

• Charles Fortes Elementary School

• Laurel Hill Avenue Elementary School

• Mary Fogarty Elementary School

• Robert Bailey, IV Elementary School

• Webster Avenue Elementary School

• Windmill Street Elementary School

Pawtucket Schools  (first awarded January 30, 2004):

(completed commitment on September 30, 2006)

• Curvin-McCabe Elementary School

• Potter-Burns Elementary School

• Henry J. Winters Elementary School

COHORT 2 (first awarded July 1, 2004):

            Central Falls Schools:

• Alan Shawn Feinstein Elementary School

West Warwick Schools (discontinued on June 30, 2005):

• Greenbush Elementary School

COHORT 3 (first awarded February 15, 2004):

 Pawtucket Schools (completed commitment on September 30, 2007): 

• Flora Curtis Elementary School

COHORT 4 (first awarded February 1, 2006):

 Providence Schools (completed commitment on September 30, 2007): 

• Anthony Carnavale Elementary School

COHORT 5  (first awarded March 30, 2007):

 Providence Schools (completed commitment on September 30, 2007): 

• Carl Lauro Elementary School

• Harry Kizirian Elementary School

Taken together, the complimentary research-based programs, practices, and tools required by Reading First will give teachers the skills and support they need to teach all children to read fluently by the end of third grade.