[Reading-hall-of-fame] ILA on phonics

[David P. Reinking]

I like Jan’s distinction between the declarative and the procedural/conditional.  For me, there is no problem with the declarative premise:  phonics is a useful dimension of learning to read and has a place at the earliest stages of reading instruction, with that premise being backed up with some convincing evidence.

It is the procedural and conditional where he goes way beyond the evidence, being narrowly prescriptive, projecting a certainty that is unwarranted, with some misleading half-truths, all of which makes teaching phonics seem a lot more straightforward and set in stone than is the case, thus opening the door to EdWeek’s unfortunate spin.

And, whatever the nomination and approval process was for selecting this author and to whatever the extent the LRP was or was not involved, it seems that someone should have considered that his work seems mostly centered in developing and selling stuff for teaching phonics.

I think the point, too, that there are many more thoughtful, accurate, duly informed, and helpful resources available is a good one, although I would add others (e.g., the works of Stahl, of Cunningham, and of Rasinski).  This piece just isn’t in their league.

David R

David Reinking
Adjunct Professor of Education
University of Georgia
Dept. of Language and Literacy Education
David.Reinking @uga.edu
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