If the debate is an either phonics or whole language battle, the answer is that neither approach by itself serves all children adequately. A shift from learning to read to reading to learn occurs at the mid-elementary to junior high school years. The emphasis changes from reading stories with a controlled vocabulary and known content, to more difficult materials that teach the child new information. Proponents of the whole language approach argue for high quality literature which meets the child's need for meaningful content.
Studies indicate that the whole language approach produces high reading comprehension scores.
Thus, a combination of reading strategies seem evident. While having the fundamental tool of phonics and high quality literature to teach reading, let's not forget modeling. When a parent or teacher models reading as an habitual way to get information and enjoyment, it sends a powerful message to children. Oral reading at home, or in school, is the kind of inclusive reading strategy that can make a real contribution to spur the student's interest in reading. What it comes down to is, the goal of reading is not merely understanding individual sounds or even words.