CB>lists from the child's experience - then expect 
CB>(demand?) that these
CB>words be spelled correctly on any published 
CB>work, (written stories or
CB>etc. taken home or hung on the wall at school).
 RM> Exactly, and this MAY be done in some classrooms (Dan's for 
 RM> example)... In how many OTHER classrooms are teachers simply
 RM> taking the text Dan references at face value and not using
 RM> spelling lists or even ATTEMPTING to promote proper 
 RM> spelling?
This is why education must change.  The current system is not working, too 
many people are doing their own thing without any strong proof that it is 
working.  Have you read my posts about Deming's views on quality?
I am phoning the Joiner Associates to see if they mind me quoting from their 
book "The Team handbook for Educators".  There is a list of schools currently 
using Deming's methods and much other information for developing a real 
quality school where there is consistency in purpose and outcomes.  I think 
Charles and Dan would find it interesting as Deming is concerned about 
"Method" - he says that is the most important question to ask.
 
Why am I interested in change? 
Because I feel the current system is as good as its going to get.
We are still at about the same level of actual dropouts as existed in the 
50's - so the process has plenty of time to mature and improve, IMO it won't, 
so we have to change the system.
 
In this workbook, there are good solid practical ways to evaluate methods and 
determine which one is working.  Dr. William G. Hunter was a well known 
educator who admired and used Deming's methods.
This book is dedicated to him.
Try to see if you can get a copy and read the first ten pages.
--- Maximus 2.02
---------------