Since New York City Schools Chancellor Joel Klein announced last week that the city will require all but its top elementary schools to use a reading curriculum called Month by Month Phonics [see "Letters From New York City: Bloomberg's Reforms" in last week's Gadfly], top reading experts have raised doubts about the track record of the curriculum. According to Reid Lyon, President Bush's top adviser on reading, there is no scientific evidence that Month by Month Phonics is effective, which means that New York City's adoption of the program could cost the city millions in federal dollars. (NCLB includes $900 million to boost reading instruction, but districts are only eligible for funds if they use a curriculum that is proven to boost reading skills.) A top aide to Mayor Michael Bloomberg told reporters that the city will stick with Month by Month Phonics, but the Mayor himself said "We'll see whether this is the right curriculum. If it isn't, [the chancellor will] change it."
"City tells W it's hooked on 'Phonics'," by Alison Gendar, New York Daily News, January 25, 2003
"Bush adviser casts doubt on the benefits of phonics program," by Abby Goodnough, The New York Times, January 24, 2003 (free registration required)