Reading First Investigation

A congressional report was released on Friday stated that:
• Government contractors were paid by publishers.

• Contractors headed centers that advised states' reading programs.

• New restrictions must be implemented to guard against financial conflicts in programs.

The report zeroed in on four people who directed the program's regional Technical Assistance Centers: These individuals were linked individually or jointly with companies such as Houghton-Mifflin, Voyager, McGraw-Hill and Scott Foresman.

Of the group, Joseph Torgesen directed the eastern regional district at Florida State University from 2003 until the present. Torgesen is co-author of a McGraw Hill reading program that can be used under Reading First. The study found that from 2002 to 2006, Torgesen earned thousands of dollars in royalties and other payments from companies such as McGraw Hill and Pearson and Sopris West, which later was acquired by Cambium Learning.

Torgesen once questioned whether he should seek special permission from the department to review the new Scott Foresman curriculum for Maine. "I had a discussion with some folks in Washington yesterday who rightly pointed out that we might want to think about rewarding Scott Foresman for significantly strengthening their program."

Source: Associated Press