While there is a great deal of research on the science of teaching reading, one-third of fourth graders in the U.S. do not read at a proficient level. Studies indicate that at least 90% of students could be taught to read if their reading instruction is based on scientific principles. Research indicates most teacher education programs do not provide research-based instruction in the five components of reading, but focused professional development can have a significant impact on teachers' ability to teach students how to read. This mixed-methods study was conducted to determine teacher perceptions of the effect of Pathways to Reading training on their ability to teach students how to read, and to determine the impact of Pathways to Reading instruction on the reading achievement of first graders. Analysis of the qualitative data indicated teachers' perceptions of their ability to teach students how to read improved with Pathways to Reading training. The quantitative data showed a statistically significant difference at a .05 level between the mean growth of students with Pathways to Reading instruction in kindergarten and first grade (53.34) and those who had Pathways to Reading instruction in first grade only (43.65), at a .05 level. Results of the study supported the continuation of Pathways to Reading implementation in the school district studied, as a means to increase the number of students reading proficiently.