Normally I hate these assertions, because of the implication that the kids that learned to read don't advance faster than their peers because basically it all levels out because they are all at the same point by third grade. That always drove me insane because of this idea that the spontaneous readers or kids that learn it quickly are just sitting there waiting and then they all move on together!!!
But this study is different because it's not about being able to read by 5 but being taught to read starting at 5 or by 7. So when are these kids actually reading??? If you can't say student A started at 5, progressed to level x by 11 versus student B starting at 7, progressing to level x by 11 then how are you actually demonstrating anything about their age and skills.
And of course not really useful for kids that learn to read on their own, wonder where they fit in!!!
DeHe
