Dear Colleagues:
  I really don't know where to begin...  I just read some postings claiming that the reason why some adults do not know how to read is that they were not taught enough phonics.  I think that really trivializes the deep challenges faced by adults who cannot read.  I know there is not a lot of research and certainly no consensus.  Based on my experience as a teacher, researcher, and reader of research--I would consider parents who didn't read, no books in the house,  not going to school at all, an environment where reading wasn't valued, trauma, learning disabilites, and something about brain function among the possible causes of illiteracy. 
   
  I know the phonics-whole language-balanced literacy debate rages on.  I know it can get passionate.  But do people really believe that whole language is the cause of illiteracy in America?  If they do, how would they explain people who didn't know how to read before whole language techniques were developed?   I had hoped we were a profession of honest and deep exploration and research--not a professional of illogical blame. 
   
  Bruce Carmel
   
   
   

			
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