Number: RL33071
Title: Even Start: Funding Controversy
Authors: Gail McCallion, Domestic Social Policy Division 
Abstract: The Even Start program, first authorized in 1989, grew rapidly in its first years, but it has been subject to increasing criticism in recent years and has seen its funding decline in every year since FY2003. For FY2009, the fifth year in a row, the Administration has requested no funding for the program. The program received $66.454 million in funding for FY2008; FY2007 funding was $82.283 million. The entire funding history for the program is provided in Table 1. The rationale given for eliminating the program is the disappointing results from national evaluations of the program. Moreover, the Administration maintains that Even Start resources should be directed to other literacy programs it argues are potentially more efficacious.
Pages: 7
Date: February 6, 2008