[NLA] Evidence-based practice in Adult Literacy Education]

[AWilder106@aol.com]

Dear George,

This has to be brief since I have other work to do.

Thanks for short circuiting my trip to a web search by saying "not much" 
about my question re studies on reading methodology.  I think we better get 
those studies going, fortunately, NCSALL is working here.  We have to have 
info on methodology.  A teacher must have something under her belt if they 
are going to meet a class at 9 am Monday morning--or 6 pm, or any other time. 
 (By the way, I heard recently that the third person plural used to be used 
in the singular, also--hence "they" and "their" for "he" and "she."  I can't 
vouch for the verb agreement, though--"they is?")

I know that learning is central, but we are talking classroom, and TEACHING 
so a person CAN LEARN is central.  I thought about that point before I asked 
my questions the way I did.  LITERACY IS STILL READING--reading for meaning, 
yes, but READING IS CENTRAL.  Teachers have to know how to teach so students 
can read and write better.  Writing also reinforces reading, so I would put 
it in with methodology.

Your list of numbered sentences I would mostly put in with "reading and 
writing better."  

Teachers have to be competent.  I don't dismiss Peter Kondrat's point, it is 
very important, and by my example of the potter's technique, which is based 
on a thorough knowledge of the science involved in clay, glazes, firing, 
etc., I hoped to show that artistry rests on technique.  Also, my invalidated 
agreement with my teaching peers that it took about 7 years for a teacher to 
"mature."  That's a long time in the kiln!

If the issue isn't science per se, then I think we shouldn't use that word.  
"Valid" and "reliable" could be useful here.

I understand your point very well, but an attitude of throwing up our hands 
and saying it's all politics gets us nowhere.  We get somewhere when we look 
at what respectable studies we've got and build from there.  At a certain 
point our movement out of the center, which is still reading methodology 
(else why are we here?) into realms of theory is very seductive.  If I had to 
stand up before someone who wanted to fund adult literacy AND I COULDN'T TALK 
ABOUT THE BEST WAYS TO TEACH READING AND WRITING, how far do you think I 
would get?

My observation is that conservatives use every means to push their agenda, 
and should not be held to a single methodology themselves.  And I expect 
liberals are the same.  

Gadfly?  Only sometimes, and this may not be one of them.  I have trained 
teachers, and been retrained myself, I have seen mediocre teachers become 
good teachers when well critiqued.  I think open discussion is vital to what 
we hope to achieve.  In that vein,  I HOPE that others will join this 
discussion and exercise their own right to speak and be heard.  

Andrea



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