The Young Turks

The main error here is assuming that one method or the other works best. It depends on the student. Students will learn how to read better when they use both methods. That way they will store the reading skills in more places in their brains.

Using phonics helps readers to figure out new words on their own, while whole word helps them to read faster.

Biggest problems in education is that most method plans are dreamed up in universities, administrative and gummint offices where people have no ongoing direct contact with children. A large number of education administrators got there because they couldn't hack teaching. It's much easier to sit in an office than teaching in a classroom.

The worst thing about NiCLBy is that it replaces learning time with "teach to the test" time. It was obviously designed to reduce the quality of education so that public schools could be replaced by vouchers for private schools and charter schools. A goal of conservatives is to make the general public more ignorant so they'll be more compliant. There can be no democracy without an educated population, so destroying public education will make them very happy. 

The main goal of a good education is to provide the tools and guidance so that students will know how to find the right answers on their own. The will learn how to identify and solve problems by themselves and in groups. They will have the tools and knowledge to become contributing members of society.

Each step of the way, students must be tested on their skills and knowledge. Rote memorization provides some tools. Reading and math problems provide others. Multiple-guess tests only test memorization. Essays and interactive solutions test other skills that are just as important.

As a teacher--I've taught art, science, natural history--I told my students how almost everything is related to everything else. Art teachers are more likely to have students who complain about other subjects. They don't like Math or English or Science, they want to be artists, but artists use computers and often write some of their own scripts/code; artists must be able to express themselves verbally or in writing in order to sell themselves and their work; artists especially must understand chemistry because many of the materials they use are toxic and/or flammable. What about History? Progress in art is based on thousands of years of art history.

Few things in education are either/or. The more tools and information students have, can find, know how to use, the more complete their education becomes. This is the reason why No Child's Behind Left is a failure.