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Back to basics: Why we keep coming back to phonics to teach reading

It's been almost 70 years since a major book criticized the way reading is often taught in our country's schools. "Why Johnny Can't Read" made a big splash in 1955, but its advocacy for a return to phonics training--sounding out words--didn't stick.

The phonics-based approach is enjoying a resurgence at the moment, as the heart of the "science of reading." It is the basic principle being used to teach teachers how to get children to read. Our Education Week continues with a visit with the head of the Reading Clinic at Eastern Oregon University. Ronda Fritz talks about her own journey in teaching reading skills, and how she helps create new generations of teachers.

Fritz is a member of the Early Literacy Educator Preparation Council created by Oregon Governor Tina Kotek, and appointed to the board by Kotek. The Council is due to make recommendations on training teachers to teach reading, around the end of the school year.

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The Jefferson Exchange is Jefferson Public Radio's daily news program focused on issues, people and events across Southern Oregon and Northern California. Angela Decker is the program's senior producer, Charlie Zimmermann is the assistant producer, and Geoffrey Riley hosts the show.