Letter to Madison's Washington Delegation regarding Reading First

November 1, 2006

Dear Sens. Kohl and Feingold and Rep. Baldwin:

Two years ago, Madison turned down resources to continue in the Reading First program after being told we had to use one of the preferred reading packages authorized by USDOE (below is background information from 2 years ago). The district potentially lost an estimated $3.2M in classroom resources and opportunities for staff development assistance (the grant was slated for 6 years — with annual reviews — at an estimated $800,000 annually to the district — Madison received 2 years of funding).

In light of the government audit of the federal Reading First program contending that USDOE ignored the law and violated ethical standards to steer money the way it wanted, I am asking that Sens. Kohl and Feingold and Rep. Baldwin request reinstatement of the lost resources due to USDOE's faulty conclusions that the audit makes obvious. Despite the fact that over 40% of the district's students come from low-income families, Madison schools have made great strides in reducing the academic achievement gap.

Reinstating federal resources would greatly enhance prospects for continued improvement by Madison Metropolitan School District students. Please let me know if you need more information to plead our case with USDOE. I look forward to hearing from you and appreciate your assistance.

Sincerely,

Art Rainwater
Superintendent

C: Margaret Planner, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction