I have seen it way too much in the last 18 years. When my oldest started school, (public) none of the teachers, all hired in the previous 3 years, taught phonics. The principal and superintendant got a real shocket when the rate of 1st graders who could read went from 80%+ (itself damn poor compared to the 100% when I was in 1st grade) to 30%. Most of that 30% who could read were like my son, who was taught phonetically by my wife at home and could read in kindergarten.
These intrepid administrators fast-talked their way out of being fired by the school board by blaming it on the influx of 'trailer trash' and illegal aliens. No mention of the whole language crapola that was enthusiastically implemented during their tenure. Several of the teachers, very concerned by the results, hooked up with some older teachers at other schools and were introduced to phonics. These kids were shocked. This was not even mentioned briefly to them in their college training. One retired teacher put on an 'underground' seminar to re-train these teachers.
When the administrators found out that phonics had infiltrated their whole language bastion, you would have thought a pedophile was loose in the classrooms from the fuss raised. The teachers using phonics were threatened with dismissal. Very disgusting. We pulled our kids out of the public system and went into the Catholic parochial system. Never have regretted that decision since. We left the public didaster area in 1994
I have heard this story so many times.
It was when my daughter entered public school at five that I first heard of whole language and child-centered learning. I was amazed that anyone was stupid enough to fall for this philosophy and pulled my daughter out immediately and home-schooled.
I then did quite a bit of research on this and wound up running a quality education group and doing some radio shows trying to get things changed.
The higher ups in the system were the ones who forced me to decide that this whole thing was intentional. They defended their failed methods even when they had proof right in front of their eyes. It was so frustrating. I believe you when you say they reacted like their was a pedophile on the loose. The ph word sent them into panic mode. I did see teachers who wanted to use phonics penalized. They were not allowed.
After ten years they have trickled some phonics into the system, but it has not been very effective. I still have lots of students, thanks to their ignorance on the teaching of reading and spelling.
My one rule for reading is NEVER GUESS. Never use the picture to guess the word and never just say what you think the word should be. Very bad habits for your child.
I have written a program that I use to teach reading and spelling properly. It works wonders.
It is shameful what this system has done to so many kids.