Peter E. Pflaum - Golden Globe - The Synergy Network
http://www.wiredbrain.net/  Pflaump@wiredbrain.com


TO: Educational Research

RE: PHONICS

It is possible that the greatest contribution to the reduction in
CRIME is teaching reading. Young people who can't read clearly
are in trouble. The popular method "whole Language" does not work
with a significant number of children. They often get to about 4-
5th grade level and go no further. They lack word attack skills.
The Direct Instruction people have repeatedly proven that these
students can learn by structured instruction. Since the students
can learn by one methods not the other it appears that the
problem is the teaching method. 

In almost any educational question, phonics, gammer, and other
curriculum issues you find people on both sides convinced they
are right and quoting research to prove their point. In science
when there is a question the method is to have a test. In a large
enough experiment with a double blind, control group, and
treatment group the issue could become an objective reality
rather that opinion. 
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Peter E. Pflaum Ph.D.         GLOBAL_VILLAGE_SCHOOLHOUSE
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pflaump@wiredbrain.com, Pflaump@wiredbrain.com,
ZEN IS THE ART OF GETTING YOURSELF OUT OF YOUR OWN WAY
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