IRA Seeks Further Reading First Investigation

 NEWARK, DELAWARE, USA—The International Reading Association is gravely concerned about unethical and possibly illegal actions taken by Department of Education officials and others in the implementation of Reading First. The Association is calling for a broader investigation and has sent the following letter to the Attorney General of the United States:

September 25, 2006

The Honorable Alberto R. Gonzales
Attorney General of the United States
U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20530-0001

Dear Sir:

The International Reading Association is very concerned with the implications of the U.S. Department of Education’s Inspector General’s report, The Reading First Program’s Grant Application Process: Final Inspection Report made public on September 22, 2006. In that report the Inspector General has made many significant recommendations to the United States Department of Education. However, the report recommendations stop with the decision-making procedures in the Department of Education.

We are concerned that the investigation did not go far enough. The internal investigation found that decisions were made that may have benefited a select group who were directing funds to specific programs and products. That select group may have had financial interests in the products and programs recommended. It is absolutely vital that a complete and thorough investigation be made to determine if any individual or group has unfairly benefited from this process.

Continued federal literacy support is essential to education, and it is critical that any corruption or misuse of funding be corrected immediately and punished if the problems rise to the level of criminality. Reading First is an important piece of legislation and must be administered fairly, honestly and in a manner consistent with the law.

Sincerely yours,

Alan E. Farstrup
Executive Director