This slide presentation first states the purposes of the Reading Excellence Act (REA): (1) teach every child to read by the end of the third grade; (2) improve reading instruction through the use of findings from scientifically-based reading research; (3) provide early intervention to children experiencing reading difficulties and prevent inappropriate referral to special education; (4) provide children in early education with the readiness skills they need to learn to read once they enter school; and (5) expand the number of high quality family literacy programs. It then lists the six dimensions of reading and research use; outlines funding for 1999 and gives the REA timeline for 2000; provides a model for a local REA program, and suggests local activities under tutorial assistance subgrants. The rest of the presentation consists of detailed information about how to prepare the grant application, including formatting and content. (NKA)