Ken Goodman

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Ken Goodman is a now-retired educational researcher, best known for developing the theory underlying the whole language method of reading instruction. He famously argued that reading is a "psycholinguistic guessing game" and that phonics should not be taught.

Goodman's initial research was as an assistant professor at Wayne State. During his time at Wayne State, Goodman won a research award which excused him from teaching responsibilities. He used the time to host a conference titled The Psycholinguistic Nature of the Reading Process and subsequently published a book of the same name based on the work of the conference.

After the publication of the book, Goodman began to create a psycholingustic and sociolinguistic model of reading inspired by Noam Chomsky’s work. Goodman decided that the process of reading was similar to the process of learning language as Chomsky conceptualized it: It developed naturally as a consequence of experiences with print, just as language ability developed naturally as a consequence of experiences with language. He decided, as a result, that attempts to teach children rules for decoding words were inappropriate and not likely to succeed. After developing the model and researching it with students, Goodman presented the model at the American Educational Research Association (AERA) conference and published it in the Journal of the Reading Specialist. In the article, Goodman wrote the now-famous comment that reading is a "psycholinguistic guessing game."

Goodman's concept of written language development is parallel to oral language development. Goodman's theory was one basis for the whole language movement, further developed by Yetta Goodman,Regie Routman and others. Goodman's concept of reading as an analogue to language development has been studied by brain researchers such as Sally Shaywitz and rejected on the basis that reading does not develop naturally in the absence of instruction. Chomsky's theory, however, continues to receive support from some scholars. Goodman's theory, although disputed, was the theoretical basis for the whole language movement, further defined by Frank Smith and Regie Routman. Goodman's theory, and the strength of his conviction that it was valuable, made him an icon of the whole language movement and a lightning rod for criticism from those who did not agree.Goodman's theory, and the strength of his conviction that it was valuable, made him an icon of the whole language movement and a lightning rod for criticism from those who did not agree. His book, "What's Whole in Whole Language" ( Heniemann) sold over 250.000 copies in six languages

Goodman, a controversial figure in the educational community, has served in several important capacities, including as the president of the International Reading Association,president of the National Conference on Research in Language and Literacy, and of the Center for Expansion of Language and Thinking. He also worked extensively with the National Council of Teachers of English. He received a number of awards including the Janes Squire award from NCTE for contributions to the profession and NCTE (2007)

Goodman published over 150 articles and book chapters and a number of books. In addition to What's Whole in Whole Language. they include' Ken Goodman on Reading. and Phonics Phacts both published by Heinemann HIs latest Book is "Scientific Realism in Studies of Education" (Taylot and Francis 2007)

He retired from the University of Arizona in August 1998.  

{updated October 2007}}