New National Reading Panel Faulted Before It's Formed

By Kathleen Kennedy Manzo

A new national panel that will evaluate reading research has drawn skepticism even before it has been selected.

Some experts are questioning whether the congressionally mandated National Reading Panel, whose membership is expected to be announced later this month, can realistically fulfill its mandate: to provide an objective and comprehensive review of research in the field.

The 15-member panel was authorized by Congress last summer to identify reliable and valid research into effective methods of teaching early reading; to determine how they can be applied in the classroom; to disseminate the information to teachers and parents; and to discern where...