President Bush’s proposal for "Reading First," which allocates $5 billion, is receiving widespread commendation from educators for its emphasis on early-literacy skills and teacher training, which many consider crucial for student academic success.
However, experts are eagerly awaiting more details on the plan, as it has not yet been translated into a formal legislative proposal. Reading experts believe that the specific components of the program will determine its effectiveness in addressing the nation’s reading problems.
Richard Long, a lobbyist for the International Reading Association, shares the view of others that he hopes the program takes a comprehensive approach to early reading instruction, similar to the recommendations outlined by the National Reading Panel in their influential report.
President Bush’s proposal for ensuring every child is reading on grade level by third grade references the recommendations of the reading panel, which include phonemic awareness, phonics, guided-oral reading, and comprehension strategies. However, some educators are concerned that the emphasis on phonics and high-stakes testing may lead to favoring highly scripted programs.
Jill Lewis, a professor of literacy education, states that effective reading instruction is not solely reliant on phonemic awareness and phonics. She emphasizes the importance of motivation in fostering a love for reading.
Researchers familiar with the proposal are confident that it aligns with a broader view of instruction, emphasizing the latest research on how children acquire early-literacy skills and the importance of literacy experiences for preschoolers. They believe that learning to read is both a science and an art, and certain critical elements must be included in a strong reading program.
President Bush’s plan, which involves $1 billion annually for five years, would incorporate two other federal programs: Reading Excellence grants and Even Start. The Reading Excellence Act of 1998 provides state grants to support professional development and family-literacy programs based on the latest research findings. Even Start combines adult basic education, parenting training, and early-childhood reading lessons.
However, some educators, like Jill Lewis, worry that if the proposal simply expands the Reading Excellence Act, it will have a narrow agenda. Lewis believes that their previous application for a Reading Excellence grant in New Jersey was denied due to a lack of focus on phonemic awareness and phonics.
Several states have already received Reading Excellence grants, totaling over $430 million. These funds have been primarily used for teacher professional development, family-literacy programs, and intervention efforts for at-risk children. The Department of Education reports that grant recipients have not generally used the money for packaged curricula, contrary to initial concerns.
The Reading Excellence Act has had a significant positive impact on the state reading initiative in Mississippi, where more than $31 million in federal funds have been distributed among approximately 50 schools. Mississippi, which ranks low on the National Assessment of Educational Progress in reading, considers the Reading Excellence Act money to have the potential for a dramatic improvement.
The Texas model has served as a successful example for improving reading instruction.
Houston’s initiative, which mandates the implementation of rigid, phonics-centered commercial programs in most schools, has been acknowledged for its positive impact on students’ reading test scores. However, these improvements tend to diminish as students progress to middle school.
President Bush’s proposition diverges notably from President Clinton’s America Reads program. President Clinton aimed to secure $2.75 billion to enlist a massive force of 1 million volunteer tutors in order to enhance students’ reading skills and foster a love for reading. America Reads faced scrutiny for allocating resources primarily towards volunteers and tutoring, rather than prioritizing teachers.
The Reading Excellence Act was the congressional Republicans’ response to President Clinton’s proposal.
