This newsletter from the Mid-Continent Research for Education and Learning (McREL) first discusses The No Child Left Behind Act's strong emphasis on reading skills, in its central article, "Reading a Central Focus of No Child Left Behind Act." It explains that through the authorization of two new programs, Early Reading First (for preschool children) and Reading First (for children in grades K-3), the U.S. Department of Education intends to ensure that children, particularly children in low-performing schools and schools with high rates of poverty, have access to research-based reading programs. The newsletter then provides legislative news reviews the latest research. Other brief articles in the newsletter are: "North Dakota Distributes $2.92 Million in Federal Technology Grant Money"; "Colorado Joins Consortium to Develop English Language Proficiency Test"; and "Policy Advisory Panel Convenes to Discuss No Child Left Behind Act." Also lists resources and e-sources and offers educational information from the central region of the country. (NKA)