Tim Shanahan Gauges The Impact of The Reading First Scandal
Tim Shanahan, who designed and implemented the Chicago Reading Intiative and is a former member of the National Reading Panel, writes in to describe some of the implications and effects of the Reading First scandal.
Some of the highlights of what Shanahan says include the reality that RF provides $1 billion a year in "new" money that would otherwise probably not be available through Title I or other sources:
He also points out the significance of the creation of the RF program: "It is the first major effort by the federal government to try to improve the quality of reading instruction in particular ways, rather than just funding local efforts to do that."
According to Shanahan, the longer-term effects of the scandal are hard to determine: "It is possible that Congress will ignore the positive effects some Reading First programs have had so far and will choose not to reauthorize this portion of NCLB...It could also mean that the Reading First programs in [states like] Illinois would be allowed to adjust their current efforts if these were the result of the federal finagling."
Last but not least, he points out what many have said -- that the scandal could undermine the fragile truce that has marked recent years when it comes to reading strategies: "The Reading First scandal could energize those who have argued against this law, plunging schools back into the so-called “Reading Wars,” the endless debates over how best to teach reading."
Click below to read his full statement.
Read More...
The full Shanahan post:
"On September 22, the U.S. Department of Education issued a report revealing corruption in its administration of Reading First, a part of the No Child Left Behind law (NCLB). This report detailed results of an investigation carried out by the department’s own Inspector General and provides specific and damning evidence of mismanagement and misuse of educational funding.
"Reading First is important because it provides approximately $1 billion per year to U.S. schools for reading improvement in schools that lag behind. Chicago Public Schools have been able to draw tens of millions of dollars to support local reading efforts. It is the first major effort by the federal government to try to improve the quality of reading instruction in particular ways, rather than just funding local efforts to do that.
"Schools that accepted these funds were required to purchase commercial programs designed in accord with research findings, to provide professional development to teachers, to monitor children’s learning, and to offer specific help to those who lagged behind. The Inspector General’s report details how some private companies and consultants were advantaged by government officials who stacked expert panels and pushed the purchase of certain materials. U.S. law prohibits the Department of Education from taking such actions.
"The corruption detailed in the report is substantial and some groups such as the International Reading Association have called on the Attorney General to issue indictments. Chris Doherty, the director of Reading First, has resigned, and Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings has indicated that steps will be taken to bring the program into legal compliance.
"However, the wake of this scandal is likely to have some widespread effects. It is possible that Congress will ignore the positive effects some Reading First programs have had so far and will choose not to reauthorize this portion of NCLB. This would mean that there would be less federal funding available to help Chicago and other districts to improve reading scores.
"It could also mean that the Reading First programs in Illinois would be allowed to adjust their current efforts if these were the result of the federal finagling. For instance, Illinois was required to adopt DIBELS as the measure used to monitor learning, and the state or local districts might be able to replace this with something more to their liking. The Reading First scandal could energize those who have argued against this law, plunging schools back into the so-called “Reading Wars,” the endless debates over how best to teach reading."
Some of the highlights of what Shanahan says include the reality that RF provides $1 billion a year in "new" money that would otherwise probably not be available through Title I or other sources:
He also points out the significance of the creation of the RF program: "It is the first major effort by the federal government to try to improve the quality of reading instruction in particular ways, rather than just funding local efforts to do that."
According to Shanahan, the longer-term effects of the scandal are hard to determine: "It is possible that Congress will ignore the positive effects some Reading First programs have had so far and will choose not to reauthorize this portion of NCLB...It could also mean that the Reading First programs in [states like] Illinois would be allowed to adjust their current efforts if these were the result of the federal finagling."
Last but not least, he points out what many have said -- that the scandal could undermine the fragile truce that has marked recent years when it comes to reading strategies: "The Reading First scandal could energize those who have argued against this law, plunging schools back into the so-called “Reading Wars,” the endless debates over how best to teach reading."
Click below to read his full statement.
Read More...
The full Shanahan post:
"On September 22, the U.S. Department of Education issued a report revealing corruption in its administration of Reading First, a part of the No Child Left Behind law (NCLB). This report detailed results of an investigation carried out by the department’s own Inspector General and provides specific and damning evidence of mismanagement and misuse of educational funding.
"Reading First is important because it provides approximately $1 billion per year to U.S. schools for reading improvement in schools that lag behind. Chicago Public Schools have been able to draw tens of millions of dollars to support local reading efforts. It is the first major effort by the federal government to try to improve the quality of reading instruction in particular ways, rather than just funding local efforts to do that.
"Schools that accepted these funds were required to purchase commercial programs designed in accord with research findings, to provide professional development to teachers, to monitor children’s learning, and to offer specific help to those who lagged behind. The Inspector General’s report details how some private companies and consultants were advantaged by government officials who stacked expert panels and pushed the purchase of certain materials. U.S. law prohibits the Department of Education from taking such actions.
"The corruption detailed in the report is substantial and some groups such as the International Reading Association have called on the Attorney General to issue indictments. Chris Doherty, the director of Reading First, has resigned, and Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings has indicated that steps will be taken to bring the program into legal compliance.
"However, the wake of this scandal is likely to have some widespread effects. It is possible that Congress will ignore the positive effects some Reading First programs have had so far and will choose not to reauthorize this portion of NCLB. This would mean that there would be less federal funding available to help Chicago and other districts to improve reading scores.
"It could also mean that the Reading First programs in Illinois would be allowed to adjust their current efforts if these were the result of the federal finagling. For instance, Illinois was required to adopt DIBELS as the measure used to monitor learning, and the state or local districts might be able to replace this with something more to their liking. The Reading First scandal could energize those who have argued against this law, plunging schools back into the so-called “Reading Wars,” the endless debates over how best to teach reading."
posted by Alexander Russo at 9/26/2006 04:04:00 PM
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