The House Reading Caucus
		Congresswoman Anne M. Northup (R-KY) is the founder and chair of the House Reading Caucus. The mission of the Caucus is to educate Members of Congress and to raise the level of awareness nationally on the importance of literacy efforts and to also connect evidence-based research on how children learn to read with actual classroom instruction. The Caucus promotes and encourages Members of Congress to champion literacy efforts in their home districts.
	Literacy Challenges -- Are Some of America's Children Left Behind?
		In 1994, the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) found that 42 percent of fourth graders read below basic levels. The 1998 NAEP showed that the situation was not improved. The results found that 69 percent of fourth grade students are reading below the proficient level. This is confirmed by the 1999 National Education Goals Report which finds that the U.S. has failed to increase the percentage of students scoring at or above proficient in reading for students in grade four. The report indicates that only 31% of our nation’s fourth graders read at or above the proficient level, meaning 69 percent of our students are failing. In 1994, the NAEP revealed that reading problems affect students in virtually every social, cultural and ethnic group. According to the results, 29 percent of whites, 69 percent of African-Americans, 64% of Hispanics, 22 percent of Asian Americans and 52 percent of American Indians read below basic levels in the fourth grade.
	Improving Literacy for All of Our Children -- Proposed Solutions
		Continued funding of evidence based-research on how children learn to read through the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Education. Implementation of evidence-based research into literacy programs administered by the federal government. Consolidation of federal literacy programs to help better utilize our resources. Dissemination of the National Reading Panel to teachers, administrators, parents, teacher colleges and business leaders to encourage the implementation of their findings in classrooms across America.  Visit the Reading Rockets website.
	Read more about Congresswoman Northup's involvement in education and literacy initiatives

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