The Linking Academic Success with Early Reading First - Collaborations in Achieving Early Reading Success (LASER CAERS) Project endeavors to develop four early childhood education centers of excellence in Hillsborough County, Florida. 

Using scientifically-based reading research Project LASER CAERS will improve these programs by:

• Creating and designing literacy, language and print-rich classroom environments
• Implementing structured, continuous and on-going professional development programs that will be sustained, intensive, and classroom-focused and will include strategies such as using certified Bilingual, Cross-cultural, Language and Academic Development (BCLAD) instructors, mentors and coaches and progressive pedagogy in special education, biliteracy, comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing
• Fostering collaboration between home and school to advance students’ cognition and early reading skill growth and development using State-aligned, scientifically based reading researched  curricula and age/developmentally appropriate instruction that embeds literacy and language across academic experiences
• Using screening assessments and progress monitoring to identify and work with children who may be at risk for delayed development or reading failure and design goals and objectives to meet their needs
• Building on current preschool and elementary school transition practices by supporting and promoting continuity of instruction between these preschools and the school district's elementary schools