This position paper contends that the whole language approach to reading instruction has been disproved by research and evaluation but still pervades textbooks for teachers, instructional materials for classroom use, some states' language-arts standards and other policy documents, teacher licensing requirements and preparation programs, and the professional context in which teachers work. The paper finds that many who pledge allegiance to "balanced reading" continue to misunderstand reading development and to deliver "poorly conceived, ineffective reading instruction." It argues that "rooting out whole language" from reading classrooms calls for effort on eight separate fronts. The paper describes what whole language is, why it is contradicted by scientific studies, how it continues in education, and what should be done to correct the situation. (Contains a glossary and 57 notes.) (NKA)

This updated edition second edition, with a timely new afterword by author Ken Goodman unravels a riddle that has long troubled parents, teachers and scholars: learning language sometimes seems ridiculously easy and sometimes impossibly hard. Embraced by teachers worldwide, whole language has sparked renewed interest in well written trade books instead of boring and unnatural textbooks that actually diminish interest in reading. A new generation of authors writing for children and young adults has responded enthusiastically to increasing demand for books that are relevant to our time. This 20th anniversary edition responds to renewed interest in whole language among parents, teachers, and administrators looking for more learner friendly alternatives to the hostile test and text book mandates of the federal No Child Left Behind act. Teachers and parents will find many ideas in this book for helping children make sense of print and build a life-long love of reading.

This book helps education professionals understand the changing social, political, and economic conditions for language and literacy instruction and second language learning in particular contexts.

The Science of Reading: A Handbook brings together state-of-the-art reviews of reading research from leading names in the field, to create a highly authoritative, multidisciplinary overview of contemporary knowledge about reading and related skills. Provides comprehensive coverage of the subject, including theoretical approaches, reading processes, stage models of reading, cross-linguistic studies of reading, reading difficulties, the biology of reading, and reading instruction Divided into seven sections:Word Recognition Processes in Reading; Learning to Read and Spell; Reading Comprehension; Reading in Different Languages; Disorders of Reading and Spelling; Biological Bases of Reading; Teaching Reading Edited by well-respected senior figures in the field

Current research increasingly highlights the role of early literacy in young children's development--and informs practices and policies that promote success among diverse learners. The Handbook of Early Literacy Research presents cutting-edge knowledge on all aspects of literacy learning in the early years. Volume 2 provides additional perspectives on important topics covered in Volume 1 and addresses critical new topics: the transition to school, the teacher-child relationship, sociodramatic play, vocabulary development, neuroimaging work, Vygotskian theory, findings from international studies, and more.