A few weeks ago I introduced Barack Obama's scalpel to a list of what I referred to as "ineffective" Department of Education programs worthy of elimination. Almost immediately, Education Sector's Chad Aldeman criticized me for giving so much credence to the Bush Administration's "Program Assessment Rating Tool," (PART) which judges federal programs on their effectiveness or lack thereof. I wasn't too impressed by Aldeman's complaints, but Chad, when you join the Obama Administration, you can tweak the PART to your liking. I suspect a new and improved version will still determine that most ED programs don't work.
Where I did err was in conflating the programs the Administration has put on the chopping block with those that have been judged to be ineffective. Not so, writes Carol Rasco, the president and CEO of Reading is Fundamental, which found itself on the list:
I was very disappointed to see your September 29 posting that included Reading Is Fundamental as an "ineffective program" as no one in the Dept. of Education can show us where we have been so identified.?? The commentary in the budget document indicated:
Supports an annual award to Reading is Fundamental, Inc. (RIF) to provide aid to local nonprofit groups and volunteer organizations that serve low-income children through book distribution and reading motivation activities. Though the Administration supports the goals of the program, RIF receives substantial private donations that can support the program if Federal funds are discontinued. In addition, the Administration is opposed to programs that provide noncompetitive, earmarked support to designated entities.
While we do raise private funds they are not "substantial" and would not support the program at the level serving the 3500 programs currently in place distributing books and conducting motivational activities for 4.6 million children last year. We use the private funds to leverage the federal dollars with one example being the provision of strong, research based training for parents and care providers, after school personnel as well as classroom teachers in the sites where books are distributed.?? We also use those private funds to advocate for stronger language and literacy skill building for children.?? As to the noncompetitive factor, that is beyond our control, we are in statute which of course could always be changed; RIF is prepared to compete if necessary.
Carol Hampton Rasco
President and CEO
Reading Is Fundamental, Inc.
Carol: Mea culpa. And thanks for pointing out my mistake.
