The purpose of Reading First is to ensure that all children in America learn to read well
by the end of third grade.

• Attentiveness to the sounds of spoken language.
  
• Decoding unfamiliar words using knowledge of the alphabetic principle.
  
• Grade-appropriate oral reading with appropriate speed, accuracy, and expression.
  
• Knowledge of word meanings to facilitate effective spoken and written language communication.
  
• Use of a variety of comprehension strategies to monitor comprehension to construct meaning from print.

Read more about Reading First at Ed.gov