[Reading-hall-of-fame] FW: PBS feature on "Dyslexia" and the "new approach" in Arkansas

[Camille Blachowicz]

See the note below from Marge Lipson.  We both watched the PBS news item about reading and were appalled.
PBS needs to receive lots of comments from informed folks.  They stress how “scientific” this is.  Here is the link.  Marge asked me to forward to the list.

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/what-parents-of-dyslexic-children-are-teaching-schools-about-literacy

We need to respond.

Camille Blachowicz, Ph.D.
Co-Director,
The Reading Leadership Institute
Distinguished Research Professor Emerita
The National College of Education
National Louis University
806  Colfax St.
Evanston, IL 60201
cblachowicz at nl.edu<mailto:cblachowicz at nl.edu>
ph-847-708-6280    fax-224-233-2558
http://nl.academia.edu/CamilleBlachowicz


From: Marge Lipson gmail <mylipson at gmail.com<mailto:mylipson at gmail.com>>
Date: Tuesday, April 30, 2019 at 6:13 PM
To: Karen Wixson <kwixson at umich.edu<mailto:kwixson at umich.edu>>, Sheila Valencia <valencia at uw.edu<mailto:valencia at uw.edu>>, Camille Blachowicz <CBlachowicz at nl.edu<mailto:CBlachowicz at nl.edu>>, Barbara Ehren <libby23 at aol.com<mailto:libby23 at aol.com>>, Peter Johnston <johnstonnz at aol.com<mailto:johnstonnz at aol.com>>
Subject: PBS feature on "Dyslexia" and the "new approach" in Arkansas

Dear Friends,
I am writing to each of you because I am beside myself.  I just watched the PBS News Hour, which I do almost every evening.  I have come to view it as a reliable source of thoughtful coverage on key topics.  Tonight they fell far short.  They featured a "new approach" to reading that was meant to help students.  It equated all reading problems with "dyslexia" and showed teary parents who attested to how little schools had responded to the needs of their children.  They argued that phonics was a brand new approach to  teaching reading and highlighted legislative successes in many (most) states.  Finally, they concluded that all children need phonics first. (as opposed to experiences with books).  I felt like I was back in a time 30 years ago).  Please take time to watch this segment for yourselves and think about complaining to PBS -- the next thing I am going to do after I send this off to you.

If you can think of others who would thoughtfully address this matter, please reach out to them.  Best, Marge
--
Marjorie Y. Lipson, Ph.D.
802.310.8268


--
Marjorie Y. Lipson, Ph.D.
802.310.8268