Elementary preservice and classroom teachers were given a nonsense word test and a test of phonetic generalizations to determine if teachers can use their knowledge of phonetic generalizations when pronouncing unknown nonsense words, and if there is a relationship between the ability to pronounce unknown nonsense words and knowledge of phonetic…

This paper examines some of the problems associated with unquestioned teaching practices and theories ("sacred cows") in the field of reading. Topics discussed include phonics, pronunciation, oral reading, teacher accountability and behavioral objectives, individualized reading, and the open classroom. (KS)

The rationale, development, and implementation of a reading program designed to teach disadvantaged children the skills prerequisite to learning to read are discussed in this paper. Of particular importance are skills in the recognition and manipulation of basic speech sounds, phonemes. The first of the program's three parts takes two and one-half…