Today's Los Angeles Times has a long piece criticizing NZ's reading methodology -- whole language v. phonics. The article says that employers are complaining that they can't get literate workers. Periodically groups like the NZ Business Roundtable have advocated privatizing public education or making moves in that direction. Could you provide any context for the current debate, the relatively declining international test figures, and how it fits in other aspects of the liberalisation of NZ's economy? Ellen J. Dannin California Western School of Law 225 Cedar Street San Diego, CA 92101 Phone: 619-525-1449 Fax: 619-696-9999
