Problem is that most state education systems and/or counties haven’t recognized Whole Language as effective since the late 1980’s, early 1990’s. There are only a handful of states nationwide that even acknowledge Whole Language exisits in some of their school districts. Your rant may have been good two decades ago but not anymore. Phonics has been the method of teaching reading in most public and private school systems after it re-emerged in the late 1980’s. NIce rant, no beef, no facts!
“So now Drill and Kill is a GOOD thing. In kindergarten and first-grade, and sometimes into second and third grade, kids are drilling and killing their little brains in an attempt to memorize the English language as graphic designs.”
Let me help here. Drill and Kill is JUST FINE when it prevents (or actually delays) real learning - in this case Phonics. The idea is to keep the parents and kids distracted until the kids are TOO OLD to be able to read fluently. Yes, they will, finally, learn phonics in 4th grade, but they will NEVER be nearly as good in reading as my kids (or anyone else’s) that learned the skill at age 3.
“One can only conclude that the Education Establishment never wanted children to be good readers...”
I can say this until I’m BLUE IN THE FACE, but most people, ON THIS SITE still will trust their local public school to teach their children to read.
It just sickens me.