Summary Box: Study says federal reading plan hasn't helped

NO DIFFERENCE: The federal Reading First program failed to improve children's reading comprehension, an Education Department study says. There was no difference in comprehension scores between students who took part in the program and those who did not.

THE PROGRAM: Reading First was created as part of President Bush's No Child Left Behind law. The $6 billion program was designed to boost student performance in low-income elementary schools.

ITS FUTURE: The findings throw the program's future into doubt. "We need to seriously re-examine this program," said Rep. George Miller, D-Calif., chairman of the House education committee.