Little that students learn at school is as valuable in their daily lives as reading. Reading matters in the world of work, in citizenship, and in our personal lives. Whether dealing with the Internet, a newspaper, computer manual, or a novel, reading is essential and will grow in importance in the 21st century.

The Chicago Reading Initiative will undertake many efforts to improve reading. One of the most important steps that it has taken to ensure that all students learn to read well has been the adoption of a common framework for instruction. This framework is significant because it imposes high-quality standards on the teaching of reading, while preserving the professional choices and flexibility teachers must have if they are to best meet students' learning needs.

For further information, please contact the Office of Literacy at (773) 553-6460.