...And the answer is?

What should we say when asked, "Could phonics solve California’s reading crisis?"

The headline for an article in the Los Angeles Times asked, “Could phonics solve California’s reading crisis? Inside the push for sweeping changes.” The headline leads into a story by Jenny Gold and Kate Sequeira published 2 June 2025.

Okay, Dear Readers, what would be your answer to the question about whether phonics can solve a reading crisis? Oh! Right! To answer the question, we ought to know what “reading crisis” means. I’m thinking that “crisis” sounds way freakin’ serious…and, whatever it is, it may be way freakin’ serious.¹ But, anyway, would phonics fix it?

Please consider my answer to the question posed in the headline. It is simple: “No.”