Reading Probe Will Continue on Capitol Hill

States report program is raising achievement.

The recent wrap-up of an intensive, two-year examination of the federal Reading First initiative is not expected to halt debate over the program.

Given the broad agreement in seven federal reports that serious problems occurred in the oversight of the program’s implementation, the findings have sparked interest on Capitol Hill, as lawmakers continue their own review of Reading First, prepare for hearings on the program this month, and consider the reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act.

The problems are offset by reports that the $1 billion-a-year program aimed at improving reading instruction and achievement in low-performing schools seems to be doing just that, and that most states are satisfied with the guidance and support they received from federal officials once...