Reading First, the largest and most ambitious beginning reading initiative funded by the United States Department of Education, is entering its sixth and final year in Georgia. The author currently serves as a coordinator for the project as well as serve as a Regional Consultant to six schools near my home in South Georgia. She is one of fourteen…

The second year evaluation of Georgia's Reading First Program primarily addresses the question of the program's effect on students' reading achievement. How schools implemented Reading First is also discussed. The results from the evaluation are, for the most part, positive and support the continuation of the program. The achievement data…

As part of the final year evaluation of the Reading First Program, the Georgia Department of Education (GDOE) continued to follow the achievement of the original group of Reading First schools during the 2000-2001 school year. The final evaluation focuses primarily on the Reading First program's effect on students' reading achievement. Information…