High quality student engagement activities are essential if students are to be successful learners. Over the years, many instructional strategies and models have been devised to encourage teachers to develop student engagement activities that result in high achievement. The Reading First Model initiative was introduced as a part of the No Child Left Behind legislation and was implemented in hundreds of schools across the United States over the last twelve years. Yet, in 2009, federal funding for Reading First was eliminated. The purpose of this study was to determine the correlation between student achievement on the Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) and discipline referrals for classroom disruption in classrooms that practiced the key components of the Reading First Model. Eight schools that had implemented the Reading First Model were randomly selected from various Regional Professional Development Centers in Missouri. A survey was distributed to the principals of the selected schools, and MAP data were examined. The study showed there was not a correlation between increased student achievement on the MAP and participation in the Reading First Model. The research did suggest a high correlation between decreased discipline referrals for classroom disruption and increased student achievement on the MAP in schools continuing to follow key components of the Reading First Model. Research also suggested a high correlation between the student engagement component of the Reading First Model and decreased discipline referrals for classroom disruption. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]