The Comprehensive School Reform Demonstration Program (CSRDP) sponsored by Democratic Representative David Obey and Republican John Porter, passed into law in 1998. Fencing off a portion of states’ Title I funds, the legislation created a market-based approach to school-level reform. Until it phased out of NCLB I by the Bush Administration in favor of Reading First (RF), the program was implemented in thousands of schools across America.
I was heartened to hear that the Miller-McKeon NCLB II Discussion Draft proposed to revive CSR. I was sorely disappointed when I read the Draft’s relevant provisions. Whatever the program is, it’s not Comprehensive School Reform. Listen here.
