A new advisory panel will design a program to improve adolescent literacy in New Jersey. The work is funded by a $50,000 National Governors Association Reading to Achieve grant.

The 16-member advisory panel has four goals.

• Create research-based reading practices and programs for all grade levels.

• Communicate these efforts to both the general public and the state’s education community.

• Coordinate reading services within the state Department of Education.

• Establish a Web site that will emphasize best practices.

The advisory panel will look at opportunities to expand the Literacy is Essential to Adolescent Development and Success (LEADS) program, a middle school literacy pilot effort that the state Department of Education began last year. It held its first meeting on May 22.