Argues that pursuing the nonexistent "perfect method" for teaching reading to all children distracts from the real key to improving reading instruction: developing teachers who know a variety of methods and approaches and thoughtfully orchestrate them according to their students' needs. Suggests what teachers, policy makers, researchers, and…

Outlines the clearest case of "de-skilling" to be found in education: the situation in California, where legislators and businessmen decide exactly how and with what methods and materials reading is to be taught, exactly what professional development activities are sanctioned and which shall not be mentioned, with this stamping out of…