The foundation of the Missouri Reading Initiative is based on the principles of effective and research-based literacy instructional practices, including the most current findings by the National Reading Panel and the science around how students best learn to read. Missouri Reading Initiative values the standards for professional development set forth by Learning Forward, the educational organization for professional learning. Their process and delivery of working with teachers and administrators, on-site, long-term and in a comprehensive manner, allows Missouri Reading Initiative trainers to be invested as partners with individual school sites in promoting improved literacy achievement for every student K-12.