The aim of the Reading First initiative is to teach every child in Georgia to read by the end of 3rd grade. The program is based on reading research carried out by the U.S. Department of Education and requires K-3 students in participating schools to spend three hours a day on reading. It includes an emphasis on specific methods of teaching reading (including phonics), a program of professional development and student assessment, and the provision of classroom materials and reading tutors.

National Reading First focuses on putting proven methods of early reading instruction in classrooms.  Through Reading First, Georgia will receive close to $200,000,000 over the next six years to support schools and teachers in applying scientifically-based reading research to ensure that all children learn to read well by the end of third grade. The Reading First program will assist Georgia as we seek to develop and implement research-based reading programs for students in kindergarten through third grade. The primary goal of this unprecedented level of funding is to provide professional development of sufficient intensity and duration to ensure that all teachers have the skills they need to teach reading effectively. Integral to this effort is assisting teachers in learning to screen for, identify, and eliminate reading barriers facing their students.

In 1996, Georgia began piloting a balanced reading initiative that includes phonological
awareness, explicit, systematic phonics, fluency and reading comprehension. This initiative, Reading First, also provides teachers training in best practices in reading instruction. On the foundation of Reading First and other state related initiatives, the state of Georgia proposes a comprehensive plan to enable all Georgia children to read well and independently by the end of third grade in accordance with the Reading Excellence Act.

The Georgia Reading Excellence Act Demonstration Sites (GA READS) initiative is a
comprehensive three-year plan that includes: Reading Improvement, Tutorial Assistance, and Family Literacy. The first year is designed for planning and disseminating best practices in scientific based reading research followed by two years of implementation for grantees. In addition to building upon the Reading First initiative, GA READS will incorporate another statewide initiative, The Family Connection. Family Connection was established in 1991 as a community-based approach to improve the lives of Georgia's children and families through grassroots planning and local decision-making. Family Connection, in all of Georgia's 159 counties effective July 1, 2001, is a state and local partnership to address children and family needs. These three components are designed to improve reading and reading instruction, assist reading improvement utilizing a one-on-one model, and facilitate the literacy development of families respectively.

The purpose of GA READS is to establish 55-80 demonstration sites for reading research, instruction, and teacher training. These GA READS sites will serve approximately 120,000-175,000 children and their families and train approximately 1500-2000 teachers in the teaching of reading founded in scientifically based reading research as defined by the federal statute. GA READS will team local schools and their communities to understand and implement reading instruction, professional development and family literacy services based upon best practices found in scientifically based reading research through a comprehensive collaborative planning
process.