Miller, Kennedy Release GAO Report on Implementation of Reading First Program

Friday, March 23, 2007

WASHINGTON, DC -- Today, Rep. George Miller (D-CA) Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA) addressed the flawed implementation of the Reading First program and the urgent need to end the Department of Education's track record of bias and abuse in administering the program.

"The GAO report highlights, once again, the mismanagement of the multi-billion-dollar Reading First program," said Miller, the chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee.  "The Education Department has vowed to prevent future mistakes by taking remedial actions, but the only way we can be sure of the Department's commitment is by conducting vigilant oversight of Reading First."

"Today's GAO report confirms that the Department failed to take appropriate steps to give States clear guidance and impartial assistance in implementing Reading First," said Kennedy. "The report seriously questions the Department's compliance with prohibitions in the law regarding directing local curriculum or programs of instruction. It also questions the basis upon which the Department is defining programs supported by scientifically-based research."

According to GAO, officials from ten states reported that Department officials advised eliminating specific programs or assessments. Officials from four states also reported recommendations to adopt specific programs or assessments from Department officials.  The No Child Left Behind Act explicitly prohibits the endorsement, approval, or sanction of any curriculum by the U.S Department of Education. GAO found that the Department has no policies or internal controls to ensure their employees are complying with these provisions.

"Placing this multi-billion-dollar program in the hands of a small group of people with ties to specific reading programs and publishers was totally irresponsible," said Miller. "We must continue to investigate how Reading First was implemented to learn from past mistakes and prevent future abuses. The program should be run in the best interests of children, not the interests of a handful of publishers that happen to be connected to the right people."

"More information is clearly needed to determine why specific programs or assessments were eliminated under the Reading First program.  I'm concerned about any improper influence of decisions about adopting effective reading programs that will help students succeed in school," said Kennedy.  "If the Department?s implementation of this program has led states to base important curricular decisions on the basis of personal preferences instead of students' needs, then students are suffering as a result. That's not the purpose of Reading First, and such abuse cannot be allowed to continue."

The Reading First program was created in 2002 as part of the No Child Left Behind Act to improve reading instruction in kindergarten through third grade. The Department provides formula grants to states with approved and applications and then states award sub-grants competitively within the state. The Department and its contractors support states and districts with technical assistance in implementing the programs.

"Reading First is an essential support to helping all children become strong readers in the early grades.  I'm committed to making any clarifications or changes needed to ensure that the program meets that goal when we reauthorize the No Child Left Behind Act."

Chairmen Kennedy and Miller requested the study on Reading First, along with Senators Bingaman and Lugar.  Miller and Kennedy plan a follow-up request to GAO to further study the decisions made by states and schools in selecting curriculum under the Reading First program, and to gain additional insights on how the Department's interpretation of scientifically-based research comports with the statutory provisions in the No Child Left Behind Act.

To view a copy of the GAO report on Reading First, click here.

For a summary of the report, click here.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Tom Kiley / Rachel Racusen
2181 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
202-226-0853