I think grammar teaching went away for a couple of reasons. The 
movement towards "relevance" in education in the '60's and 70's very 
correctly pointed out that grammar was being taught in such a way as to 
alienate students. Instead of reforming the curriculum by examining, 
for instance, linguistic stylistics, it was just dumped. I would guess 
that most English teachers become English teachers because they love 
literature; I guess many don't have the analytic bent that 
grammar-lovers have. I also suppose a lot of them found grammar as then 
taught as awful as the students did.

The study(ies?) that claimed to prove harm from grammar instruction 
provided exactly what people were looking for to justify dumping 
grammar teaching. The Whole Language movement sealed the deal.

Many states have brought back grammar requirements in the K-12 learning 
standards. Large numbers of teachers are not prepared to teach the 
material, of course. And, sadly, it is mostly the same program as 
before the Great Dump. That's what got me into this group.

Dr. Johanna Rubba, Associate Professor, Linguistics
Linguistics Minor Advisor
English Department
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
Tel.: 805.756.2184
Dept. Ofc. Tel.: 805.756.2596
Dept. Fax: 805.756.6374
URL: http://www.cla.calpoly.edu/~jrubba

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