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Kenneth S. Goodman | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1927-12-23)December 23, 1927 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | March 12, 2020(2020-03-12) (aged 92) Tucson, Arizona, U.S. |
| Known for | Whole Language |
| Spouse | Yetta Goodman |
| Academic background | |
| Education | University of Michigan (BA), University of California Los Angeles (MA, PhD) |
| Academic work | |
| Discipline | Education, linguistics |
| Institutions | |
| Website | www.readinghalloffame.org/sites/default/files/kensnewlongvita2017.rtf_.pdf |
Kenneth S. Goodman (December 23, 1927 - March 12, 2020) was an American educator and researcher known for his work in reading theory, linguistics, and education. Ken Goodman has been described in educational research sources as a key figure in the development of the whole language approach to reading.[1][2] He is also known for his development of miscue analysis.[3] Before his death, he was an Emeritus Professor of Language, Reading and Culture at the University of Arizona.[4] His theories were the subject of debate in reading education throughout the late twentieth century.[2]
Biography
Goodman was born in Chicago in 1927. After obtaining a bachelor's degree in Economics from the University of Michigan, he completed both a master's and doctoral degree in Education from the University of California Los Angeles. Goodman taught at Wayne State University in Michigan before joining the University of Arizona as a professor in 1975.[2]
Goodman was a board member of the International Literacy Association from 1976 to 1979, and its president from 1980 to 1981. He was awarded the William S. Gray Citation of Merit by the International Literacy Association in 1986.[5]
Goodman died on March 12, 2020, in Tucson, Arizona.[5]
Theory
Goodman proposed that written language development parallels oral language development and applied ideas from linguistics to reading. This perspective influenced the whole language movement, which was further developed by Yetta Goodman, Regie Routman, Frank Smith and others. Subsequent research in cognitive science by Sally Shaywitz and others has challenged the notion that reading develops naturally without systematic instruction. Critics of Goodman's model, including researchers aligned with the science of reading, have argued that skilled reading relies heavily on decoding and phonics instruction. Concepts like the ‘three cueing’ model associated with whole language have been characterized as controversial and not supported by some contemporary reading science research. Goodman's book What's Whole in Whole Language, originally published in 1986, sold over 250,000 copies in six languages.[citation needed]
Achievements
Goodman held several leadership positions, such as President of the International Reading Association, President of the National Conference on Research in Language and Literacy, and President of the Center for Expansion of Language and Thinking. He collaborated with the National Council of Teachers of English on initiatives related to literacy research and reading instruction. He received a number of awards, including the James Squire award from NCTE for contributions to the profession and NCTE (2007). Goodman published over 150 articles and book chapters as well as a number of books. In addition to What's Whole in Whole Language, he also wrote Ken Goodman on Reading and Phonics Phacts; all were published by Heinemann. His book Scientific Realism in Studies of Education was published by Taylor and Francis in 2007. His last book, "Reading- The Grand Illusion: How and Why People Make Sense of Print" was published by Routledge in 2016 and included contributions from linguist, Peter H. Fries and neurologist, Steven L. Strauss.
Goodman was inducted into the Reading Hall of Fame in 1989.[6]
References
- ^ Jenny, Megan (22 August 2024). Kenneth Goodman. p. 1417-1430. ISBN 978-3-031-25134-4. Retrieved 24 November 2025.
- ^ a b c "Kenneth S. Goodman, 'Founding Father' of Whole Language, Dead at 92". Retrieved 24 November 2025.
- ^ "Ken Goodman 1927 - 2020" (PDF). LLA. Retrieved 1 October 2020.
- ^ "Kenneth S. Goodman". University of Arizona. Archived from the original on 9 March 2019. Retrieved 29 November 2010.
- ^ a b "In Memoriam: Kenneth S. Goodman (1927–2020)". Retrieved 24 November 2025.
- ^ "Ken Goodman (Inducted 1989) | Reading Hall of Fame". www.readinghalloffame.org. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
