Reading First was supposed to be help close the achievement gap. It began as a part of the NCLB legislation. Poor urban and rural schools that qualified to apply for the grant had the potential to bring in millions of dollars. As I look back now it offered us valuable insight into what was to come.

In 2002, I was asked to be a part of a six-member team to complete the Reading First Grant application for our school. It was completely out of my realm of understanding because I was a classroom teacher, as were most of the people sitting around the table. Reading First was also out of our realm of understanding because it was the first year it was offered in our home state of New York.

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