[senco-forum] all of the grapheme/phonemes

Complete objectivity is only possible in the sciences. I have yet to meet any serious observer who considers reading-age scores to be precision data.

 Aly says that the children in the project made progress 'Possibly because they were given the time and attention they needed' but the reality is that they were given no human attention at all during the sessions - only computer attention if there can be such a thing.I know secondary SENCo who are long time enthusiasts for SP but nevertheless have young people in Yr 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 with massive reading deficits.   I need no convincing that SP is the most effective means of teaching children to read initially but I do need convincing that SP is the most effective remedial reading strategy for older poor readers. Hence my continued involvement with this age group. I support and applaud secondary school SENCo who use SP because I am very aware of its value but I am equally aware that it will not resolve all of the reading deficits in these older age groups. Were I so convinced I could happily go back to tending my garden, sailing my narrowboat and flying my little aeroplane and other more appropriate, old-age-person pursuits but as Philip rightly puts it, the children need to be put in a position where they can teach themselves the 'real' rules and so far as I am aware, no-one is doing that yet. I would love to be the first and as they say, 'Hope springs eternal!'

Eddie C.