Federal Reading First Budget Cut by 60% in 2008

[jsamuel]

http://www.eenrblog.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=122

The federal budget signed in 2007 for the education year of 2008 cut the popular Reading First program by 60% according to the Secretary of Education and is causing a ruckus among teachers and schools in states that rely heavily on the money. The issue is currently before congress whether or not to renew the funding for 2009.

U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings Testifies Before House Appropriations Subcommittee

...

First, instruction. One thing we know for sure is that we will not be successful in education until every child can read. Reading opens the door to every other subject, and is a critical foundation for all other learning. That's why I'm pleased that the President's budget restores funding for the Reading First program to 1 billion dollars-the level you supported for five years.

...

Reading First builds on more than 20 years of independent research funded by this Congress, and conducted by the National Institutes of Health. If ever a program was rooted in science and research, this is it.

The 60 percent cut in the 2008 appropriation for Reading First is devastating our elementary schools. It's one of the top concerns I've heard in every state I visit. And I urge you to support the President's request to restore funding so that nearly one million students can once again benefit from this program.

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More below the fold...

http://www.eenrblog.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=122

[RC]

1. Canon fodder don't need to know how to read past the 3rd grade level.

The money is needed for the unholy war on furnineers anyway.