Fantastic critique of reading instruction/Reading Recovery

[debbie]

This piece includes a fantastic, but succinct, reflection and overview of the history of English and reading instruction - and it attempts to draw attention to the appalling state of affairs when education authorities fail to promote truly research-informed programmes and practices - whether for beginning reading or reading intervention.

To this day, it is still nothing but CHANCE as to the type and quality of reading and spelling instruction in our schools internationally - and it DOES NOT HAVE TO BE THIS WAY.

We need to work harder still to hold people to account for their reading instruction and for the promotion of flawed practices and weak practices:


http://intrinsicphonics.net/Teaching_Re ... overy.html

Reading Recovery
A Meta-synthesis of the Research
(Prepared for the Edmonton Public School Board)

Abstract: Reading Recovery, aimed at struggling, beginning readers, has been the subject of much debate from its beginnings as an intensive psycholinguistic program to its current, balanced literacy approach, whereby pseudo-phonics instruction and cueing systems are integral to its teaching strategies. In question is its efficacy and cost effectiveness.


Introduction

It is not without some apprehension, indeed diffidence, that I embarked on a journey into the cloistered world of reading research—to say nothing of broaching the hallowed halls of Alberta Education—in an effort to understand two simple truths: first, why, with one of the best educational systems in the world, do we have so many functional illiterates; second, why is the preponderance of these troubled readers, boys?

[debbie]

Vic Charlton has just confirmed that he is the author of the very helpful, informative and interesting information piece above.

Many thanks, Vic, for all your hard work to provide the great overview you have packed into this one piece!