Nevada Reading First is funding only those proposals that show real promise for successful implementation, particularly for raising student achievement at the classroom level.

Reading First applications were made available to districts/consortiums on February 1, 2003 and were due to the Nevada Department of Education on May 30, 2003. The total estimated amount of subgrant awards is $3,229,176 and they individually range from approximately $115,000 - $2,280,000 (approximately $150,000 to $250,000 annually per school). Following statewide publicity and dissemination of grant application availability, including letters of invitation to eligible districts and consortiums and a posting of the grant applications on the state department’s websites and listservs, interested eligible applicants could attend an intensive pre-application workshop meeting. One was held in the Reno/Sparks area and one was held in the Las Vegas area. Topics at this meeting included:

• an overview of the goals of Nevada Reading First,
• the aspects of scientifically based reading research to implement comprehensive reading programs/instruction that include the essential elements of literacy instruction for children in kindergarten through third grade,
• application of the Consumes’ Guide to Scientifically-based Programs and Materials,
• the team aspect of school reform,
• the grant application process and requirements, professional development,
• technology connections, and
• the grant review process.

Follow-up grant writing assistance from Nevada Reading First Task Force members was available on an as-needed basis for all eligible sites. An on-line resource, staffed by the Task Force, was in place to answer questions and provide assistance in grant planning and writing. Subgrants were submitted to Nevada Reading First Task Force members, who were current members of the university and state department partnership, for review and technical assistance prior to being submitted for review by the Nevada Leadership Team.

Final reviewers for Nevada Reading First subgrants were a subset of members from the Nevada Reading First Leadership Team, with direction from the Nevada Reading First Task Force of literacy experts from UCCSN universities and the Nevada Department of Education. As reading experts who are familiar with our state’s efforts at reform, they are be able to not only evaluate LEA subgrants, but also offer direction and advice on coordination of all state reading initiatives based on scientifically based reading research. Members of the review panel signed affidavits that certify that they have no personal or vested interest in the organizations that submit applications that they reviewed. After the review panel completed its work, their recommendations were forwarded to State Superintendent for Public Instruction, Dr. Jack McLaughlin, who made decisions on the awarding of each subgrant. The Nevada Department of Education established the official records of awarded subgrants and will retain these records for a total of seven years. The Department will also maintain records of unsuccessful applications for one year from the date of the selection notification process.

Training for reviewers of LEA Reading First applications began with a reading and discussion of the selection criteria/scoring rubric followed by a sample subgrant review analysis and discussion. (Please see previous discussion beginning in section 1.D. for more detail on criteria for discussion during rubric training and discussion.) Then "live" subgrants were read and scored independently. Once all reviewers scored their subgrants, scores were examined for discrepancies and discussion occured until consensus was established on scores. Reviewers could select to award, reject or advise that a subgrant be revised and resubmitted for further consideration/review.

The established selection criteria rubric was available to local LEAs as a part of the subgrant application packet so they were able to understand the criteria on which their applications were judged. Awards were funded for all or part of proposal requests and/or subgrant proposals could be returned with suggestions on revisions prior to resubmissions.