Louisville, KY – In 2004, CLOUT won the implementation of Direct Instruction (DI), a phonics-based reading curriculum proven to increase reading abilities of at-risk youth, in Jefferson County schools. As a result, 48% of Kindergartners at Shelby Elementary, formerly the lowest performing school in Kentucky in reading, entered first grade reading at the Second Grade level. 63% of Mill Creek Elementary Kindergartners were also reading at the Second Grade level. CLOUT successfully negotiated an agreement with the school district to implement DI in two additional schools beginning the fall of 2005.