Responding to a message by Dan, to Charles on ...
DT>It not my purpose here to "convert" anyone to WL but to challenge what I 
DT>consider misconceptions regarding the theory.  I would be interest in 
DT>learning more of Great Britain's WL woes.
About a year ago, an article on whole language appeared in Teacher 
Magazine.  I saved it out someplace, but can no longer find it.  It used 
a lot of data from Great Britain, which is abandoning whole language 
after a ten-year national experiment.  As with California, reading 
scores in GB declined consistently throughout the experiment and the 
national curriculum now requires heavy doses of phonics.  (I'll keep 
looking for the article.)
DT>I do not think WL is a fad and believe it is here to stay.
I understand that.
DT>As for the evidence against it mounting, time will tell.
Yep - can't argue with that.
DT>I do believe that we discussed the relative confidence we can place 
DT>in any research that attempts to isolate a single factor as a cause 
DT>of this or that.
At least Ron and I did.
DT>In California's case, WL is merely an excuse for a poorly run educational 
DT>system complicated by the diversity of its student population and 
DT>unmanageable class size.
Possibly.  But that's an awfully large cross-section of America to 
assume that everyone is incompetent, but the process is terrific.
DT>I would like to add that I think it is healthy to have one's view 
DT>challenged and that you (as well as others) have challenged mine 
DT>regarding WL.  I do not operate in blind faith here and am investigating 
DT>some of the criticisms you presented a bit further.  I am in now way an 
DT>expert (as in know-it-all) but I do try to honestly communicate all-I-
DT>know (or all-I-understand).  
I am not an expert either - only a perennial cynic. 
DT>We can drop the WL thing, continue, or pick a specific WL concept (such 
DT>as --inventive spelling--) which I think is very misunderstood as well.  
DT>Even Rush Limbaugh has lambasted the practice.  I ask you, is he an 
DT>expert on spelling pedagogy?
I'm listening and responding.  Wherever the topics in this echo go, I 
usually follow.
Rush Limbaugh is an even worse cynic than I - he hates everything both 
liberal and conservative and he appeals to the very worst attributes of 
human nature.
Chuck Beams
Fidonet - 1:2608/70
cbeams@future.dreamscape.com
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* UniQWK #5290* A big lie is more plausible than truth. (E. Hemingway)
--- Maximus 2.01wb
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