Reversed: A Memoir

by Lois Letchford

“Yes!” I grimace in reply. “I read this paper by Professor Brian Cambourne. It’s called Beyond the Deficit Theory.” I nod. “How about that for a title?” “What was it about? It sounds like it gives some hope with the word ‘Beyond.’ Did it give hope?” “Not really! In fact, I wanted to turn into the Wicked Witch of the West! I wanted to fire up my cauldron, hop on my broomstick, ride up and down the street, and screech ‘The information is in the library! The information is in the library!’” Acting out parts of the Wicked Witch helps my frustration before I take another sip of water, calming myself. “The article was really about how easy it is to make excuses for children who do not learn to read.” I’m at full alert, sitting on the edge of the chair as fury consumes me. I continue, “Cambourne contains two views: The reductionist view and the holistic view. The reductionist approach presupposes that complex phenomena be reduced to simple elements, which can then be measured.” I place my glass on the table, trying not to slam it down with irritation. “In other words, testing children on the number of letters, sounds, or sight words and taking that as the total measure of reading is a reductionist view.” A huge breath escapes. “Yes,” says Michelle, focusing intently. “That makes sense. But reading is bigger than the letters and sounds.” “Yes, yes!” I exclaim, almost hitting my fist on the table with excitement. “You are so right! And that’s the holistic view. This idea seeks to u...