All this points to the conclusion that California's problem is not whole language but a lack of reading material. Whole language has not failed. If it is defined, in part, as providing children with comprehensible and interesting texts, and helping children understand them, it has done extremely well. References Chall, J. 1967. Colvin, R. 1995.
State report urges return to basics in teaching reading.
Los Angeles Times September 13, 1995. Delpit, L. 1986. Skills and other dilemmas of a progressive black educator. Eldredge, L. and Baird, J. 1996. Phonemic awareness training works better than whole language instruction for teaching first graders how to write.