Reading First Program for Low Income Children Did Not Work

News just out yesterday from the Department of Education on the latest report issued by its Institute of Education Sciences -- President Bush’s $1 billion a year initiative to teach reading to low-income children has not helped improve their reading comprehension. The report entitled, "Reading First Impact Study: Interim Report" was mandated by Congress.

Bush's "Reading First" program was reportedly based on some of his educational experiences as Texas governor. But the report states that so far this program did not improve the students' reading comprehension. President Bush and Secretary Margaret Spellings have continued to tout the program's success, however last year the Congressional Democrats did reduce the financing of this project from $1 billion down to $400 million for this year of 2008.

This news is not good. And all the more reason to take a look at non-profit organizations that can assist our youth with their educational concerns. As you know, my own education website has information about education at http://www.roccobasile.org/, and specifically about the Children of the City programs that are helping kids by personally fostering strong relationships. The group teaches, informs and counsels on various life issues and skills through programs such as: Strong Minds and Strong Homes: a volunteer effort that meets children and families in Southwest Brooklyn and connects them with the services they may not know about. Plus the Create Success After School and Summer Program places a high priority on intense tutoring and daily personal homework help. We have already seen dramatic increases in student’s reading and math levels, healthy study habits, communications, improved peer relationships, and more. Click here to learn more about this program.

Meanwhile, the Reading First study analyzed the student's performance from 12 states in the first to third grades during the 2004-5 and 2005-6 school years. The final report will follow early in 2009 and will analyze additional follow-up data.The report is available at: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/opepd/ppss/index.html

Directly from the report: "The ability to read and comprehend text well is at the heart of educational attainment and, as such, is central to all children’s elementary school success. Unfortunately, success in elementary school (and beyond) disproportionately eludes many minority and economically disadvantaged children. Large numbers of minority children, often in high-poverty schools, are not developing the reading skills needed for success in school. Results from the 2005 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) Reading Assessment indicate that 54 percent of fourth-grade students eligible for free or reduced-price lunches read at a Below Basic level compared to only 23 percent of fourth-graders not eligible for free or reduced-price lunches who perform at that level.8 Although these results are disappointing, these findings are an improvement over the 2000 NAEP results where 62 percent of students eligible free or reduced price lunches scored at the Below Basic level (U.S. Department of Education, 2005)."