More Corruption at ED, Cont'd

Here is the complete list of groups that the Inspector General identified as violating the disclaimer requirements within the Regulations. In short, these are the organizations that offered themselves up at the NCLB Feeding Trough as willing participants in the school privatization campaign by the Dept. of Education: Total Damage to the Taxpayer--$4,686,552

Oquirrh Institute and the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) (U215U030007-04)
(FY 03-04, $677,318)
The purpose of this unsolicited grant was to increase the American public’s exposure and understanding of the research and full spectrum of ideas on teacher quality. According to the grantees’ monthly progress reports, NCTQ was able to publish op-eds in 11 newspapers; however, we have been able to obtain copies of only three. The three op-eds we reviewed focused on proposed changes in teacher reform and NCLB. Each op-ed advocated a particular viewpoint and did not contain the required disclaimer.

Hispanic Council for Reform & Educational Options (U215U040023)
(FY 04, $400,000)
Hispanic Council for Reform & Educational Options (U215U030031)
(FY 03, $500,000)
The purpose of these unsolicited grants was to promote school choice and tutoring options for Hispanic children. The products we reviewed included handbooks, brochures, three op-eds, and an informational video. The handbooks, brochures, and video were informational and did not contain the EDGAR disclaimer. Two op-eds were published in the Dallas Morning News. The third op-ed was published in two Spanish-language publications, Al Día (Texas) in January 2004 and En USA (Florida) in April 2004. All three advocated a particular viewpoint and did not disclose ED’s role in their production.

Black Alliance for Educational Options (U215U040022)
(FY 04, $400,000)
Black Alliance for Educational Options (U215U030029)
(FY 03, $500,000)
Black Alliance for Educational Options (R215U020007)
(FY 02, $600,000)
The purpose of these unsolicited grants was to actively support parental choice and increase educational options for black children through a “multi-layered media campaign.” The products we reviewed included brochures, print and radio ads, and post cards providing information to parents regarding their options under NCLB. The products did not contain the EDGAR disclaimer.

Greater Educational Opportunities Foundation (U215U030021/U215U030021A)
(FY 03, $370,000)
Greater Educational Opportunities Foundation (U215U040009)
(FY 04, $375,000)
The purpose of these unsolicited grants was to fund parent outreach programs centered on implementation of NCLB, school choice, and supplemental services. The products we reviewed included TV, radio, and print ads, which provided information to parents regarding their rights under NCLB and did not include the EDGAR disclaimer.

National Council of Negro Women, Inc. (R215U020003)
(FY 02-04, $600,000
The purpose of this unsolicited grant was to ignite a movement in communities across the country to close the achievement gap by utilizing new provisions in NCLB. The proposed products for this grant were radio spots and PSAs. We reviewed radio spots and ads placed on buses, trolleys, and public benches. The ads encouraged parents to read to their children and directed them to call the 1-800-USA-LEARN number, but did not contain the EDGAR disclaimer.

National Council of Negro Women, Inc. (U215U040017)
(FY 04, $264,234)
The purpose of this grant was to promote a national dialogue among African-American leaders to raise importance of early reading. The products we reviewed included brochures and educational guides, and in some instances the products contained the EDGAR disclaimer.

My final post (for now) on this will include the list of grantees whose handiwork was not presented as requested by the Inspector General's Office, thus making it impossible to determine the extent of "covert propaganda."