Project Draws Federal Money, Despite Doubts

'Following the Leaders' Funding Tops $30 Million

Washington

Congress recently earmarked another $9.7 million for a school improvement program run by the Education Leaders Council, despite serious questions raised about the project.

The latest earmark, contained in the omnibus fiscal 2005 spending bill adopted in November, brings total federal funding for the project, called Following the Leaders, to about $32.7 million since 2001.

Critics of the program, including several nationally known education leaders, claim that the ELC has not been able to account for all of the federal money spent on the program. They’re also concerned that Following the Leaders primarily consists of technology-based products and services operated by private companies that have provided financial...