But after participating in just one year of Reading First, 95 percent had learned all they need to know to advance to first grade, Greg Lewis, the program's coordinator, said Wednesday.

That's why a move by Congress to cut Reading First funding by 61 percent concerns Ogden and the six other districts participating in the program.

"We have seen tremendous growth" in children's skills after participating in Reading First, which trains teachers how to help disadvantaged students in kindergarten through third grade gain reading skills, Lewis said.

The U.S. Department of Education estimates Utah, which for the current year received $5.8 million in Reading First funds, will see its allocation cut by $3.7 million. Nationwide, funding for the program will drop from $1.03 billion to $393 million.

Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings this week sent letters to state education officials suggesting they find alternative funding to supplement Reading First and continue the program.

Utah officials are discussing way to minimize the effects of the cut while they wait for final funding figures from Congress and a state education budget being formulated by the Legislature.

"We are working proactively with our districts . . . on how they can maximize the use of other funding coming into their schools," said Becky Donaldson, Reading First specialist with the Utah State Office of Education.

Full funding is available through next school year for Reading First programs in the Granite School District, said Peggy Paterson, Reading First coordinator for Granite.

"But with that kind of a cut, it will definitely affect the schools and the number of students that we can serve," she said. "It's a devastating blow for kids in high-risk populations."

Other districts participating in Reading First include Salt Lake, San Juan, Carbon, North Sanpete and Duchesne.

rorellana@sltrib.com

* Reading First is a federal grant program for students in kindergarten through third grade in "very high poverty" schools where student achievement is low. Utah has participated since 2002.

* School districts, including seven in Utah, submit applications demonstrating need. Those chosen receive professional development funds to train teachers how best to help disadvantaged children learn to read.

* Funding also pays for reading coaches to assist teachers at participating schools.