RFIS Letter

U NITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

WASHINGTON, D.C, 20202-8240

DATE

SEA contact

SEA

Street

City, State Zip

Dear [SEA contact name]:

I am writing to request your state’s participation in the National Reading First Implementation Study: 2008—2009. The Reading First legislation requires the Department of Education to contract with an independent organization to conduct a national evaluation of Reading First. In the fall of 2007, the U.S. Department of Education contracted with Abt Associates to study the ongoing implementation of the Reading First Program as it matures.

As a recipient of Reading First funds, your state is required to participate in the study if requested (see Reading First Legislation Section 1203 (b)(3)). Your application for Reading First included an assurance of participation in national evaluation activities. We are asking for your cooperation and assistance in this important national study.

In order to describe the ongoing implementation of the Reading First Program, the new study will be conducting interviews with state personnel about each state’s Reading First program. Specifically, study staff will conduct interviews with your state’s directors of Reading First, Title I, and Elementary Reading/Curriculum to learn about the ongoing implementation and sustainability of the Reading First Program in your state. State personnel will be interviewed once in the fall of 2008, and again in the fall of 2009.

Please feel free to contact the Study Director, (Dr. Beth Gamse from Abt Associates at (617) 349-2808, or by email at [email protected]), if you have any questions or concerns about your participation in the evaluation. The project officer here at the Department, Beth Franklin (202) 205-5798 and its Policy and Program Studies Service are also prepared to work with you and your staff to address concerns you may have about the requirements of the national evaluation.

Thank you for your efforts on behalf of this important national study.

Sincerely,

Alan Ginsburg

Director of Policy and Program Studies Service

Amanda Farris

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Strategic Initiatives

Enclosures

www.ed.gov

Our mission is to ensure equal access to education and to promote educational excellence throughout the Nation.