"Supt. McCulloch Announces $2.76 Million Reading First for Montana Schools

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Linda McCulloch today
announced the awards of Reading First competitive grants for 11 school
districts totaling $2.76 million to improve the reading achievement of
students.

"I am delighted to announce the first grants to Montana school
districts awarded under our new Reading First program will total $2.76
million, ì said Supt. Linda McCulloch. "There will be additional
competitions held in the spring of 2005 for more eligible schools as we
move forward with full implementation of this six-year federal program.î

The Office of Public Instruction received 41 applications and a review
panel of nationally recognized reading specialists was used to read and
recommend proposals for funding that met all required criteria. The 11
successful applicants include:

Billings ($355,000),

Centerville
($130,615),

Charlo ($146,293),

Dixon ($90,153),

East Helena ($380,000),

Great Falls ($329,507),

Hardin ($453,573),

Hays-Lodgepole ($109,055),

Helena ($190,000),

Libby ($225,000),

Ronan ($345,839).

A total of
$2.76 million dollars awarded for this first round of the reading grant
competition.

"The program is targeted for children in kindergarten through third
grade. It provides an opportunity to work with school districts to
ensure that teachersí instructional practices reflect the best
scientific research for reading instruction. We are all very excited
to have this program in Montana,"Supt. Linda McCulloch explained.

The Office of Public Instruction will also use Reading First program
funds to provide the opportunity for all K-3 educators in the state and
all special education educators to receive training in scientifically
based reading research through annual multi-day Summer Reading
Institutes. These professional development sessions will provide
specific in-depth, grade-level training in the application of
scientifically based reading instruction in the classroom.

OPI Reading First Director: Debbie Hunsaker, or
406-444-0733

Visit the Montana Office of Public Instruction’s Web site at:
http://www.opi.state.mt.us/