Just because the focus of publicly funded programs has shifted from encouraging kids to read more to teaching them how to read does not mean that RR has become

Just because the focus of publicly funded programs has shifted from encouraging kids to read more to teaching them how to read does not mean that RR has become less useful or its' goal less noble, only that the checkwriters have different priorities. That the kickstarter was so successful among the kids of yesterday speaks to its' long lasting influence and positive impact. Even if it's just nostalgia and a catchy themesong driving the money, they will certainly do some good.