Letter: Phonics is still the best way to teach reading

Thursday, Oct. 7, 2004 | 9:08 a.m.

Most people agree that reading is the most important skill if a student is to develop proficiency in English, math and other disciplines. Most parents were taught reading using phonics or some derivative thereof. Virtually all foreign countries teach English using phonics. Yet we have somehow evolved into a new system called "whole language."

This attempts to teach reading by having children guess at words associated with pictures. Under this "meaning based" approach we are asked to accept inferior reading skills in exchange for the nebulous benefit associated with children interacting with other children. We used to call this "the blind leading the blind."

If parents were to get truly involved I have no doubt they would demand a return to the centuries-old, proven system of phonics. Bill Cosby has complained we can buy our children $200 tennis shoes but not spend that same $200 on a phonics program. Note he didn't say spend it on "whole language."

Demand results and programs that deliver them. Hold the school system accountable for these "new ideas" that simply don't work.

PETE MOUNTANOS