reading

The definition of reading:

For the purposes of The Partnership for Reading, the National Reading Panel, and the Reading First law, reading is defined as:

A complex system of deriving meaning from print that requires all of the following:

• The skills and knowledge to understand how phonemes, or speech sounds, are connected to print.

• The ability to decode unfamiliar words.

• The ability to read fluently.

• Sufficient background information and vocabulary to foster reading comprehension.

• The development of appropriate active strategies to construct meaning from print.

• The development and maintenance of a motivation to read.

• National Institute for Literacy | National Institute of Child Health and Human Development | US Department of Education |1775 I Street NW, Suite 730 | Washington, D.C. 20006 | 202-233-2025 | Fax: 202-233-2050

Learning to read and reading to learn are two of the most important missions of childhood. Parents, community members, and teachers must all maximize their efforts to make certain that each child has the opportunity to experience the great gift of literacy. These efforts will ensure that each individual has the prospect of a life filled with possibilities and a future of literate interaction in the world. By providing children equal access to well-designed, organized, and systematic reading instruction in our schools; we can assure ourselves that Washington students have the greatest possible chance at future academic excellence.