VIRGINIA BEACH, VA, August 10, 2007 — The Educational Policy Institute has won a competitive bid contract from the Iowa Department of Education to evaluate their federal Reading First program. Reading First is a part of the No Child Left Behind initiative, focusing on early childhood reading (K-3).

The Educational Policy Institute recently completed a Reading First evaluation for North Carolina. The new project will conduct data collection and analysis at 10 schools across Iowa, to be completed by May 2008.

For more information, please contact Dr. Watson Scott Swail at (757) 430-2200.

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The Educational Policy Institute is a non-profit research center focused in issues of educational opportunity, especially for our most needy populations. Based in Virginia Beach with offices in Toronto and Melbourne, EPI conducts program evaluation, policy analysis, and conducts professional development opportunities for educational professionals throughout the education continuum. Visit the EPI website at www.educationalpolicy.org.