Research evidence suggests that summer breaks contribute to income-based achievement and opportunity gaps for children and youth. However, summertime can also be used to provide programs that support an array of goals for children and youth, including improved academic achievement, physical health, mental health, social and emotional well-being,…

The reading coaches, professional development programs, and instructional materials that are the cornerstones of the Reading First program and are credited with improving instruction in struggling schools may be threatened by a deep cut included in the 2008 federal budget, officials and observers say. The reduction of more than 60 percent--from…

This report describes and evaluates the Chapter 2 Inexpensive Book Distribution Program (IBDP), a federal program designed to motivate children from age three to high school to read, and the Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) organization--the sole contractor of the IBDP. Following an executive summary, an introductory section presents basic…

INFORMATION ABOUT ESEA READING PROJECTS FOR THE ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED WAS OBTAINED BY STRUCTURED TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS AND A SUPPLEMENTAL WRITTEN FORM FROM 632 SCHOOL SYSTEMS. FIELD VISITS WERE MADE TO 34 SELECTED SYSTEMS. THE MAJORITY OF THESE PROGRAMS WAS REMEDIAL IN NATURE (53.48 PERCENT). COMBINATION PROGRAMS (29.59 PERCENT) USUALLY…

Discusses the findings of the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science hearing on the status and needs of native Americans' libraries, based on visits to four pueblo libraries. Library services are described, financial support and needs are discussed, and the role of the library in native American cultures is examined. (CLB)

To complement the information gathered on middle school and high school literacy initiatives as reported in "Middle and High School Literacy across the Curriculum" (Task 1.2 Fast Response Project), the Regional Educational Laboratory Southeast (REL-SE) staff conducted a scan of the six southeast states to gather the following information…

"Straight A's: Public Education Policy and Progress" is a biweekly newsletter that focuses on education news and events both in Washington, DC and around the country. The following articles are included in this issue: (1) President Bush Promotes High School Agenda: Of $1.5 Billion Plan for High Schools, $200 Million Would Go to Striving…

In October 2003, the US Department of Education contracted with Abt Associates to design and conduct the Reading First Implementation Evaluation. This report focuses on the following questions: (1) How is the Reading First program implemented in districts and schools? and (2) How does reading instruction differ in Reading First schools and…