I've published a book, Phonics Phacts in which I lay out what I know
and believe about phonics. It will not pay for us to get into a debate
on phonics here. Phonics, in my analysis, is not a method of teaching of
reading but a set of relationships between someone's phonology and the
orthography in an alphabetically written language.
I disagree with Ms. King about the role of phonics in reading (not
whether is a role) and about Samuel Oration's analysis of ENglish
orthography which is the basis for programs such as one identified with
the Scottish Rite Children's hospital based on Orton Gillingham One of
chief concerns is writing any body' methods or materials into law and
enforcing their use. Unfortunately every bad old phonics program is
being disinterred and promoted including Spaulding which has children
copying and memorizing every rule of the Orton-Gillingham system.
There is considerable alarm among literacy professionals that laws are
defining reading as medical problem and mandating deficit views of
language and language development.
As lone as these issues were the subject of debate within the
professional community, with conflicting theory and research they could
be judged on their own merit. But when the law declares the debate over
and tells teachers what they may or may not do- on penalty of loss of
job or loss of liberty then I think phonics is a convenient vehicle for
controlling teachers and learners.
Ken Goodman
--
Kenneth S. Goodman, Professor, Language, Reading & Culture
504 College of Education, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
fax 520 7456895 phone 520 6217868
These are mean times- and in the mean time
We need to Learn to Live Under Water