1977—Follow Through: the Hatchet
We submitted our voluminous, vastly detailed report, and many influential stakeholders really hated it. One could summarize our results in several ways, and many did. But here is one compact version that carries most of what they didn’t like. We addressed this question:
“How much better did each Follow Through group perform than one would expect a similarly-disadvantaged group to perform without Follow Through?”
Hatchet Our answers were most discouraging, particularly to those who had hoped they would demonstrate the practical power of their cherished theories:
  • It was really difficult to make an important difference with the methods Follow Through tried.
  • Most of the effects we measured were null.
  • Some were actually negative.
  • Each model’s effects were highly inconsistent from one place to another.
So, what do you do, when your life’s work gets an unequivocal negative review? Discredit the reviewer, of course. As project director, I came in for much of the flak.

Not sure exactly who put them up to it, but the Ford Foundation paid some of our colleagues to attack us and our report. This piece came out in the fall and drew a lot of attention. We’d thought Ernie House was our friend, but I guess you take a commission where you can find it.

The year was over before we completed our response.
Back a Page
Christmas, 1976		 Such a Life
Contents		 Chapter 3
(1958-1971)		 Chapter 4
(1972-2002)		 1976
1977
1978		 Chapter 5
(2003-?)		 Next Page
(The Playroom)
Welcome Stories Sections Such a Life People Places Site Search Do You Know?
Updated Sep 2020 [1977p0a.htm] Page 477-01