Reading First, authorized under the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, provides school districts support in implementing research-based reading programs in kindergarten through third grade, focusing on three areas:

• Improvement of reading instruction
• Evaluation and accountability of reading instruction
• Professional development and technical assistance to ensure reading success

ESC staff provides training to LEAs and individuals who are non-Reading First, those who are Reading First, but not funded, or districts who have included Region VI in their Reading First Continuation Application.

Professional Development

Reading First professional development includes, but is not limited to:

• Features of Effective Instruction
• 3 Tier/Response to Intervention (RTI) Overview
• Campus Planning and Goal Setting
• Reading Intervention Strategies
• Components of Reading
• Additional training, as provided by the Reading First state network

Contact:     Joanna Oliver, joliver@esc6.net