A study investigated the usefulness of six different but related phonics rules used to pronounce words. The phonics rules examined are: (1) When two vowels are adjacent, the long sound of the first vowel is pronounced and the second is not; (2) When two vowels are separated by one or more consonants and one of the vowels is a final e, the long sound of the first vowel is pronounced and the final e is not; (3) When the only vowel in a one syllable word is not the last letter, the short sound is pronounced; (4) When the only vowel in a one syllable word is the last letter, the long sound is pronounced; (5) When two vowels are separated by two consonants which are not part of a digraph, the syllable division is made between the consonants; and (6) When two vowels are separated by one consonant or a consonant digraph, the syllable division is made before the consonant or digraph. Eighty texts were selected, ranging from third through sixth grade in reading, science, social studies, and trade books. Two sets of the equivalent of five pages of written text were randomly selected from each book. Words for each rule were identified. The appropriate rule was applied and whether the correct pronunciation (or correct syllabication) resulted was determined. Alternate pronunciations were considered equally correct. Utility percentages were calculated for each grade in each subject area, and for each subject area. Results indicated that all six rules should no longer be taught. (Nineteen tables of data are included, and 25 references are attached.) (MM)