Addressing current research on the foundational skills of reading for the state of Alaska, this booklet is designed to get the most current information available about how children learn to read into the hands of everyone who can help children learn and grow as readers. It outlines previously researched core abilities including phonemic awareness, alphabetic principles, sound-spelling correspondence, decoding ability, comprehension skills, and spelling, vocabulary, and writing skills. The booklet discusses essential components of research-based programs for beginning reading instruction and features of classrooms and schools that support effective beginning reading instruction. It then outlines reading performance standards and includes a chart indicating proficiency levels for Alaska Performance Standards for Reading. (SC)