Grants are designed to help early childhood centers improve their programs, by creating centers of excellence that provide preschool-age children with language and cognitive skills, and an early reading foundation. Funds must be used to:

• Enhance children’s language, cognitive, and early reading skills through professional development for teachers;

• Provide early language and reading development and instructional materials as developed from
scientifically based reading research;

• Provide preschool-age children with cognitive learning opportunities in high quality language and literature-rich environments;

• Use screening assessments to effectively identify preschool children who may be at risk for reading failure; and

• Improve existing early childhood programs by integrating scientifically based reading research
into all aspects of the program (including instructional materials, teaching strategies, curricula,
parent engagement, and professional development).

Pre-K, Early Childhood

Disadvantaged, Early Childhood Education, Early Reading, Prereading Experience, Reading

Name: Rebecca Haynes
E-mail Address: rebecca.haynes@ed.gov

Mailing Address: U.S. Department of Education, OESE
Early Reading First Program
400 Maryland Ave. S.W., Rm. 3C138, FB-6
Washington, DC 20202-6100
Telephone: (202) 260-0968
Toll-Free Telephone: (800) 872-5327 or (800) USA-LEARN
Fax: (202) 260-7764

Name: Jill Stewart

E-mail Address: jill.stewart@ed.gov
Mailing Address: U.S. Department of Education, OESE
Early Reading First Program
400 Maryland Ave., S.W., Rm. 3C136, FB-6
Washington, DC 20202-6100
Telephone: (202) 260-2533
Toll-Free Telephone: (800) 872-5327 or (800) USA-LEARN
Fax: (202) 260-7764