High‑Spending States Skip Early Reading Screens

Some wealthy, high‑spending states (exemplified by New York) have expanded per‑pupil budgets and services without adopting universal early literacy screening, leaving many struggling children unidentified until third‑grade tests when remediation is harder. That mismatch — generous inputs but missing early diagnostic measurement — explains part of the funding–outcomes disconnect. — Shifts the policy debate from 'more money' to 'measure first': states can spend heavily yet fail if they lack basic, mandated screening and outcome tracking.