Final answer:
The spelling component should be separated from the reading component by second grade to address the unique challenges of spelling rules and patterns that may not align with reading proficiency.
Step-by-step explanation:
By second grade, the spelling component of a program should be separated from the reading component because some patterns and words that are relatively easy for reading can be much harder for spelling, and vice versa. It's important for students to focus on the complexities of spelling independently of those of reading to better understand and memorize the specific rules and patterns that apply to spelling, which might not be immediately clear from reading alone. For instance, with words containing the letter [b], the spelling can be <b> or <bb>, and with the letter [d], the spelling can be <d> or <dd>. However, there are exceptions such as in compound words like cupboard and raspberry where the spelling does not follow these rules directly due to their compound nature.