[RJR_fan]

I was taught to read phonetically in first grade parochial school. Dumped into the public school system in fourth grade -- knew I was on alien turf -- and "dropped out" for the next six years. Kept a book open under the edge of my desk (especially science fiction) and coasted through on 10% effort. I survived school -- but still am crippled by the habits acquired in the process of doing so.

Teach kids to read, and read to them. It takes about 30 hours of tutoring to teach a ready child to read, using Samuel Blumenfeld's Alphaphonics. Or, six+ years to produce a semi-literate book hater using "look say."

John Dewey bemoaned the negative effect that a love of books had on "socialization." His disciple Richard Gray took the concern to heart, and created a tool to prevent that dread event, the basal reader, starring his namesake Dick, plus Jane, plus Spot ...

[codder too]

Sight and Say....Dewey to Gray to Seuss= a functionally illiterate citizenry.

CONTROL is the name of their game..

Sam Blumenfeld is a hero.

Phonics work.