Statistics on the literacy skills of America's children reveal that approximately 40% of students across the nation cannot read at a basic level. And for low-income students, the figure is even worse. In response to this situation, a number of efforts are underway--spearheaded by federal and state policymakers and a number of independent organizations--to remedy the situation. This Digest looks at some of the most recent of those initiatives. The Digest first discusses the importance of the findings of the National Reading Panel in the development of Reading First, the literacy component of President Bush's "No Child Left Behind" Act (2001). It then discusses several state initiatives, such as the Texas Reading Initiative and the Alabama Reading Initiative. Finally, the Digest cites several literacy initiatives launched by independent nonprofit organizations, such as "Success for All, the "Children's Literacy Initiative," the "NCTE Reading Initiative," and "Born to Read." (Contains 11 references.) (NKA)