Educational Data Systems

improving reading instruction in the United States. This report provides an evaluation of Reading First implementation and student reading achievement in California for those six years. The current federal Reading First program will cease providing funding to states at the end of fiscal year 2008 and there will be one more report following this one. The key findings, which remain similar to prior reports and suggest sustainability of effect, are summarized below. The body of the report contains the detailed analyses to support these conclusions. It should be kept in mind, as noted in Chapter 1, that this report examines Reading First in terms of its unique programmatic model for the State of California according to the California Reading First Plan. The findings for “Reading First ” referenced below refer to this statewide study, a particularly significant fact in light of a national Reading First impact study which published findings that are not consistent with those presented here. Finding #1: Reading First has had a significant impact on student achievement in California. Reading First schools have grown significantly since the inception of the program. They have grown significantly more than a statistical control group and significantly more than non-Reading First schools. High implementing schools have grown significantly more than low implementing schools. The overal