GAO finds errors in reading program

WASHINGTON — Education Department officials and their contractors appear to have improperly backed certain types of instruction in administering a $1 billion-a-year reading program, congressional investigators found.

The Government Accountability Office report supports assertions by the inspector general of the Education Department, who has released several reports in recent months into the Reading First program.

The program is a key part of the No Child Left Behind Act, signed into law in 2002. It offers intensive reading help for low-income and struggling schools.

The GAO, Congress’ investigative and auditing arm, surveyed states to get their views on the program.

In 10 states, officials said they received suggestions to get rid of certain programs or tests, according to the report. And officials in four states said they received suggestions to adopt specific programs or tests, the GAO said. The report did not name the states.

Federal law prohibits the department from requiring certain curricula or directing states to use specific programs.

Officials “may have violated the statutory prohibition against mandating or directing local curricular decisions by effectively endorsing or directing the selection of particular Reading First programs,” the GAO said.

An inspector general report released late last year stated that the reading program was beset by conflicts of interest and mismanagement. It found that people who had clear conflicts of interest due to their industry connections were able to serve as grant reviewers under the program.

The inspector general stated that the review panels were stacked with people who shared the views of the former program director, Chris Doherty. The report stated that Doherty repeatedly used his influence to steer money toward states that used a reading approach he favored, called Direct Instruction.

The GAO reports that state officials believe reading instruction has improved under the federal program due partly to the increased focus it placed on reading efforts.

Deputy Education Secretary Ray Simon wrote in a response to the GAO report that the department would take steps to avoid future problems.

“We will provide written guidance in the near future to all department staff reminding them of the importance of impartiality in the performance of their duties and not construing program statutes to authorize the department to mandate, direct or control curriculum and instruction, except to the extent authorized by law,” he wrote.

The No Child Left Behind law is scheduled to be rewritten this year, and there has been some speculation on Capitol Hill as to whether the reading program will be renewed.

The two lawmakers in charge of the committees that oversee education issues say hearings into Reading First are likely.

“We must continue to investigate how Reading First was implemented to learn from past mistakes and prevent future abuses,” said Rep. George Miller, D-Calif., the chairman of the House committee.

“The GAO report confirms that the department failed to take appropriate steps to give states clear guidance and impartial assistance in implementing Reading First. Our students and teachers deserve better,” said Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., chairman of the Senate committee.

(Associated Press)