What Do the Experts Say?: Helping Children Learn to Read - Softcover

Flippo, Rona F.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0325000441 ISBN 13: 9780325000442

Publisher: Heinemann Educational Books,U.S., 1999

Synopsis

As the reading wars rage on, Rona Flippo brings us hopeful news from the front: "Even though there are numerous differences in perspectives among reading experts, some of whom have been pitted against each other by the media during the 'Wars,' they still do agree on some commonly held ideas and beliefs about contexts and practices for teaching reading in today's schools." Now, in this timely and important volume, Flippo reveals the common ground she uncovered during a decade of repeated interviews and written communications with top reading experts - including Ed Fry, P. David Pearson, and Yetta Goodman.

In What Do the Experts Say?, anyone who has been affected by the phonics versus whole language debates, which means all of us, will find a thorough and well-balanced presentation of the basic arguments that have fired the controversy. In exploring these issues, Flippo insightfully underscores the critical need for some agreement. Next, she presents the Expert Study itself, with essential information about the various participants and study methods. The areas of agreement are then analyzed and interpreted, but here the book moves beyond the theoretical into the real world, with practicing teachers sharing their own views and classroom experiences.

In keeping with the book's productive, practical emphasis, the author concludes with a synthesis of all the book's messages and invites readers to participate in a follow-up study designed to give classroom teachers and other school professionals an equal voice. Because ultimately, only when practitioners join the conversation about how best to support developing readers, will they be empowered to make the decisions that are shaping literacy education today.

About this title

About the Author

RONA FLIPPO has taught early childhood, elementary, middle, and upper-level classrooms and is currently Professor of Reading Education at Fitchburg State College in Massachusetts. While probably best known for her "Expert Study," she has authored more than 90 articles and 10 other books, including What Do the Experts Say? (Heinemann, 1999). She has also been featured in educational television programs on assessment, instruction, testing, studying, and literacy issues. Her strong interest in policy and the politics affecting education and literacy have led her toward research and writing for a broad audience, including the general public.

Edition details

• Publisher: Heinemann Educational Books,U.S.
• Publication date: 1999
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0325000441
• ISBN 13: 9780325000442
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 129