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Reading First in Tennessee: Eligibility

Tennessee Reading FirstA Local Educational Agency (LEA)  that met the following criteria was eligible to apply to the state educational agency (SEA) for Reading First funds:

  1. The LEA is among the LEAs in the State with the highest numbers or percentages of students in kindergarten through grade three (3) reading below grade level, based on the most current data available; and
  2. The LEA has jurisdiction over at least one of the following:
    1. A geographic area that includes an area designated as an empowerment zone or an enterprise community, under part 1 of subchapter U of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code;
    2. A significant number or percentage of schools that are identified for school improvement under Title I, Part A; or
    3. The highest numbers or highest percentages of children who are counted for allocations under Title I, Part A, in comparison to other LEAs in the State.
  3. Tennessee will designate the districts having the lowest twenty percent  (20%) NCE scores in student achievement in reading on the third (3rd) grade TCAP scores for Reading First eligibility. These selected districts and schools will meet all criteria of eligibility.

A local educational agency that receives a Reading First subgrant may only distribute funds to schools within the LEA that are both:

  1. Among the schools served by the LEA with the highest percentage or number of students in kindergarten through grade three (3) reading below grade level, based on the most current data available, and
  2. Identified for school improvement under Title I, Part A or have the highest percentage or numbers of children counted for allocations under section Title I, Part A.