One of the most successful reading programs, Reading Recovery, has been gutted by this administration in favor of their own program, Reading First. Isn't it just like this administration to copy an effective program, change its name, contents, and requirements, throw in some cronyism, and ruin the chances for kids to learn to read. There is an excellent story in USA Today http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2005-10-09-reading-program_x.htm about the programs. It really is a shame that Reading Recovery was tampered with in order to promote Bush's Reading First. There are accusations that federal dollars would be withheld unless certain textbooks were used.
The hurricane evacuees are running into some interesting problems depending on the state where they are currently residing. According to USA Today, many of the evacuees are eligible for unemployment benefits. However, the amount of one's unemployment check is set by individual states: 'The average monthly benefit in Mississippi is $169; the national average, $270.' http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2005-10-09-evacuee-benefits_x.htm
Voters in Ohio are looking for the next governor to bring two things to the office - integrity and jobs. http://www.dispatch.com Both have been sadly lacking in this scandal plagued state government. Of course, we are not getting any help from Ohio's elected members of the U.S. House of Representatives. It seems that the only thing our elected officials are concerned with the size of their campaign war chest.
