Reading First: A Mess, & A Shame

Andrew Brownstein and Travis Hicks of the Title I Monitor have written a pair of fascinating inside looks at the fallout that's taken place in the month since the OIG report on Reading First came out, including coverage of things like a "surreal" going away party for the program's director, conflicts of interest among reading experts, and findings suggesting many districts found RF helpful (Former RF Director Draws Fire — and Defenders, and ED Ignored Early Warnings on RF Conflicts, Report Says). Clearly, the story isn't as simple -- for or against -- as some have made it. But it's a mess, and a shame. Whatever the specifics, what a truly unfortunate time for a new round of the reading wars and questions about early intervention.

UPDATE: In last week's HotSeat, Richard Lee Colvin said Reading First is not a real story, but if that's true it's only so in the most narrow sense. What's happening with RF has and will affect reading instruction nationwide, as well as the future of NCLB.

UPDATE 2: This Washington Times commentary (Reading comes first) suggests that there's less wrong with Reading First than meets the eye and that the program should be expanded.