Why did they take phonics out of the school in the 70"s?

Question

and then put them back later and the kids who didnt get it then now has trouble with it all there life

Answer 1

Actually, the problem readers are having right now, according to the International Reading Association, is that there has been too much emphasis on letter sounds and not enough emphasis on comprehension.  Reading is not just calling words.  It is recognizing words and understanding what they mean.  Today, there is a huge push for what is called balanced literacy.  The guided reading lesson focuses on vocabulary and comprehension as well as fluency.  The words lesson focuses on sounds and patterns in words.  This movement began in the 90s and for the teachers who use it and understand it, it is working well.

In the last century, teachers tried many different methods:  the basal reader approach, the language experience approach, the whole language approach and others.  Thank goodness we now understand that children need a varied and balanced approach to succeed in learning to read.

Answer 2

Where is your information that this was done nationwide?  My father was in school then and I saw his report cards.  As a Junior or a Senior he took a class on Phonetics so certainly in his school, his district, and his state, the class was not taken out.  

If some schools did take it out, it was obviously a mistake which is why they put it back in.  The English language is tough, and not being able to phonetically recognize words is just asking for problems, as if there aren't enough problems with learning already.

Answer 3

i don't know why, exactly, but i do know a good reading program needs a phonics component!

Answer 4

did they really? i am 24 years old which means i was learning to read around 1988 and i don't remember not learning phonics. even if they were to take them out again, i plan to continue teaching phonics until the day i die because it WORKS. i still sound out new words together. my mom, who is a baby boomer, does the same thing.

Answer 5

The whole thing was that it was becoming clear that phonics didn't work, so they were looking for a substitute.  Unfortunately, the "whole language" approach they used instead was at least as bad as phonics.  What I find pathetic is that now all anyone can think of is going back to phonics, which didn't work in the first place!

Answer 6

Thats simplistic.

its not like states decided to let the kids figure it out for themselves. Research continuously changes what we do in education. What you are responding to is the media reports of it - the only reason most of the public can name that specific teaching tool - is that it was part of the whole language controversy - well covered in the media. ill bet you also have heard of "new math" - but can you explain what new math was? most can't.

There is constant research happening in education - and pedagogy is constantly evolving.

Answer 7

Socioecopolitical interference.. It is one of the many errors of educational faddery. IT comes back when it is realised that the fads do not work. They forgot that words are composed of sounds. Erroneous pedagogical selection.