[Parmy]

It doesn't matter how a child learns to read, just that they do. Right now, most high school graduates really can't read proficiently. That is part of the reason colleges, junior and universities, have established remedial programs for reading, math and several other areas. This is because the graduates are sorely deficient in all of these areas and aren't ready, out of high school, to do college level work.

I have talked to several college presidents about this.

[piytar]

It doesn't matter how a child learns to read

I beg to differ. "Sight words" do not build a proper foundation for understanding new words. They also hinder development of speed reading or even just proficiently fast reading.

(I know that last bit sounds counter-intuitive because speed readers read entire words or even sentences at once. However, I am one, and a good foundation regarding how words are formed from letters is critical to developing speed reading skills.)

JMHO, of course.