VEATCH,JEANNETTE - PERSONAL STORY, PROFESSIONAL LEGACY

Jeannette Veatch is best known for her contributions in the field of r eading, for her challenge to basal readers, and her espousal of a lite rature-based, learner-centered approach called Individualized Reading. Now, forty years since the emergence of that revolutionary approach, Dr. Veatch, Professor Emerita of Arizona State University, observes cu rrent movements in the profession with interest. Based on personal int erviews and on published and unpublished material, this article presen ts highlights of the scholar's life and work: her early years as an el ementary teacher in Michigan, her graduate study at New York Universit y and her unrelenting support of children's reading rights. In retirem ent, Veatch looks back on accomplishments and controversy and views pr esent trends in the profession with approbation and some reservations.