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I am a public school teacher. I teach 11th grade American literature and 12th grade British literature. I can say that this article is very true. Children who learn sight words or use the see-and-say method do not know how to read. Sure, it gets students through fourth or fifth grade successfully, but they can't function at higher levels without phonics training. Our school system uses a Title I program called Success for All (SFA), which claims that phonics is part of the learning system. Since reading WHY JOHNNY STILL CAN'T READ (sorry don't know how to do italics) I have learned why this is a lie. It is quite frightening to hear 12th graders read, mispronounce words, and then not even recognize that what was read makes absolutely no sense.

I don’t disagree with your reasoning...phonics is a good tool but from my prospective I can’t use it simply because I have a 70% hearing loss since birth...I’ve learned to sight read and memorize words for over 55 years...my handicap and I accept it...however, having said that you need to know that though my names not Johnny...I read 2 books a week on average and must have over 3000 books in my library.
I’m also an engineer (non degree) and teach and do consulting work. Again, I’m not saying phonics isn’t good...but lots of “johnny’s” can read with out it...having said that...how do you teach some to spell and pronounce “phonics” using phonics...just wondering...