So we have now proved that teaching phonics synthetically is effective (TESS, last week). There are no real surprises here for those of us who taught that way 30 years ago.
There are no real surprises either in finding that a technique which helps boys catch up and overtake girls is being feted as an outstanding educational advance.
Can we look forward to a decade of generously funded research into why girls now lag behind, mirroring the last 10 years of heart searching about boys’ underachievement?
Thought not.
Jeannie Mackenzie
Gateside Place
Kilbarchan
Johnstone
