tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24804535382129410252011-06-27T09:49:57.276+01:00A search for ideas and discussion to improve UK Education based on the belief that present aims and policies are unclear and best management practices not applied.Stephen Orrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18066370319559385592noreply@blogger.comBlogger281100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2480453538212941025.post-63094793972395625682008-03-11T14:33:00.002Z2008-03-11T14:44:44.400Z

Latest figures confirm the earlier estimates that some 100,000 children failed to get admission to their first choice secondary schools for September - about 1/5 of the total.Not only does that make a mockery of ministers' promise of choice, it also removes one potentially effective automatic control mechanism.Choice gives the opportunity to avoid bad schools. Good schools are encouraged by

Stephen Orrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18066370319559385592noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2480453538212941025.post-1999430597069103282008-03-07T13:34:00.003Z2008-03-07T13:52:48.964Z

The government has announced a new Extended Diploma, the advanced version being worth four and a half A-levels. But heads' leader John Dunford says the complexity further threatens its chances of success. He is quoted as saying: "People are not going to go for a qualification which is too difficult to understand".As usual the government is trying to do the right thing but getting itself in a

Stephen Orrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18066370319559385592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2480453538212941025.post-77256230673601447932008-02-29T10:41:00.002Z2008-02-29T10:57:16.266Z

A narrowing of the curriculum has led to a decrease in the quality of English primary schooling, says a report."High stakes" testing of pupils has led to a system "focused on literacy and numeracy at the expense of the broader curriculum", it suggests. This is a warning that when you use targets and measurement you may distort the system by forgetting what is outside the measurement system. We

Stephen Orrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18066370319559385592noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2480453538212941025.post-37910870001964831422008-02-26T14:35:00.003Z2008-02-26T14:40:06.448Z

As many as 100,000 children are expected to miss out on their first choice of secondary school this year, according to analysis of official figures by the Conservative Party.That means that nearly 20% of parents will not be sending their child to the school of their first choice. What a way to motivate a child to learn!

Stephen Orrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18066370319559385592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2480453538212941025.post-60980133007852925932008-02-26T14:13:00.002Z2008-02-26T14:21:45.064Z

The big question in the debate on class sizes is not whether smaller classes produce better academic results - the answer to that is, “of course they do” - a more pertinent question is, “by how much?” The deputy director of education at the Institute of Education in London concludes that better teaching methods will give a better return simply because we cannot recruit enough teachers of suitable

Stephen Orrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18066370319559385592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2480453538212941025.post-4743813169057139322008-02-25T16:53:00.003Z2008-02-25T17:09:21.276Z

The extreme Left Wing want to abolish private education to prevent the 'unfair' social advantages it brings. What will they do now that the latest research shows that those same Middle Classes, when they actually make a positive choice in favour of their local comprehensive, still come out on top?Those of us motivated to encourage our children to reach the highest standards will quite naturally

Stephen Orrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18066370319559385592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2480453538212941025.post-91364683621508596542008-02-20T15:24:00.004Z2008-02-20T16:10:34.835Z

Getting agreement on measurable aims of education may be difficult. But deciding on a minimum level to be achieved by all should be easier. We know when the 'education system' or the individual child has failed.As a democracy we need every individual to be able to take part in active discussion, understand the main issues and make a choice. As a social economy, we need them to be

Stephen Orrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18066370319559385592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2480453538212941025.post-51597262519444397452008-02-15T14:22:00.002Z2008-02-15T15:12:32.120Z

Some children start with a range of disadvantages for which they are not themselves responsible.One of the generally accepted aims of education has been to enable any student to achieve his maximum potential. The obvious justification for this is one of simple justice. In addition any society has a long term interest in ensuring that no minority group feels frustrated and cut off by the rest of

Stephen Orrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18066370319559385592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2480453538212941025.post-60432258095788063512008-02-14T09:59:00.005Z2008-02-14T14:53:16.085Z

The Nuffield Review, whilst recognising these achievements, has also highlighted thepersistence of deep-seated problems concerning the structure of the system, its performance and the conduct of the policy process. The specific problems mentioned are typical of those to be expected from a large top-down organisation trying to manage a diverse service at all levels. If the government wants to

Stephen Orrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18066370319559385592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2480453538212941025.post-31008752743802895592008-02-12T10:24:00.001Z2008-02-14T14:54:42.383Z

Last night's Channel 4 documentary suggests answers for several issues of class size and motivation. Research carried out in Bristol by Wetz uncovered the fact that many of the children who left school with no qualifications were doing well in their education at the age of 10 or 11 - the turning point came as they joined their secondary schools. He asks if the giant new schools now being built

Stephen Orrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18066370319559385592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2480453538212941025.post-78348722120619583652008-02-11T13:49:00.000Z2008-02-11T13:53:14.489Z

Graham has commented:The measurement system should:1)monitor the proper and efficient running of the system2)identify weaknesses for improvement3)indicate to all the achievement of those within it against defined and accepted national and international standards4)balance demand with supply5)be as limited as possible and the only source of information and measurement.I would agree - but the first

Stephen Orrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18066370319559385592noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2480453538212941025.post-80840959131032090852008-02-08T15:05:00.000Z2008-02-08T15:12:14.216Z

In summary, formal assessment in England, compared to our review countries, is pervasive, highly consequential, and taken by officialdom to portray objectively the actual quality of primary education in schools. Wales and Northern Ireland have significantly tempered their emphasis on testing in recent reforms such that they are now (along with Scotland) as different from England as are other

Stephen Orrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18066370319559385592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2480453538212941025.post-84547846213494447092008-02-06T16:16:00.000Z2008-02-06T16:32:49.850Z

The National Curriculum increases public understanding of, and confidence in, the work of schools and in the learning and achievements resulting from compulsory education. It provides a common basis for discussion of educational issues among lay and professional groups, including pupils, parents, teachers, governors and employers.This quote comes at the end of page setting out the values, aims

Stephen Orrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18066370319559385592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2480453538212941025.post-40337336282845191302008-02-04T16:16:00.000Z2008-02-04T16:22:27.341Z

Grammar schools should be abolished and a lottery admissions system introduced to make education in England fairer for all, says a government-funded report. Basically this seems to say that because selection encourages differences, it should be abolished. That's a classic Stalinist approach. How about the alternative of providing extra support to those suffering from disadvantage?Then you might

Stephen Orrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18066370319559385592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2480453538212941025.post-34622798585345763572008-02-04T15:25:00.000Z2008-02-04T15:36:48.232Z

Margaret says in her comment:Choice has led to the break-up of good small schools, the loss of cohesion of communities, excessive large-car use and a reduction in children’s exercise as they no longer walk to school. The overall quality of education in this country does not appear to have improved as choice has widened.I can agree that there are these negatives to the present system of choice. I

Stephen Orrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18066370319559385592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2480453538212941025.post-73649260776695443812008-01-29T14:03:00.000Z2008-01-29T14:27:25.564Z

Choice in Education! Must be a GOOD THING!But is it practical?In theory a totally private school system is the ultimate guarantee of choice. The immediate barrier of course is the payment system. Anyone who cannot afford the fees does not have the choice.If they can afford the fees, there are still other limitations:Physical distance - unless you accept a boarding school, the child has to be

Stephen Orrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18066370319559385592noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2480453538212941025.post-87442504797463863672008-01-28T15:42:00.000Z2008-01-28T15:49:40.385Z

Ed Balls, the minister for Non-Sense is making cooking in schools compulsory.This is a 'key' part of the Government’s strategy to cut obesity. I wonder what planet he lives on?It is certainly an example of micro-management of education. Will it work? Is there any evidence that a few cookery lessons will change a lifstyle?

Stephen Orrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18066370319559385592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2480453538212941025.post-83055549041062951382008-01-25T16:07:00.000Z2008-01-25T16:10:36.501Z

The latestTresury estimates show £77.7 billion being spent on UK education in 2007-8. This is 5.5% of GDP.The spend in England only is £63.9 billionSo where does all that money go?

Stephen Orrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18066370319559385592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2480453538212941025.post-34105201869735221722008-01-25T14:29:00.001Z2008-01-25T15:04:05.284Z

I have been finding it difficult to source relevant data on the present structure of education. Fortunately I have just found the latest stats from the Dept for Children, Schools and Families.That shows some 25000 schools in England with 8.1 million pupils. For a summary table, click here.I am now searching for basic data on the financing and budgetary side. If you know where it is best obtained

Stephen Orrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18066370319559385592noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2480453538212941025.post-66427856422955164632008-01-21T13:58:00.000Z2008-01-21T14:48:22.133Z

The traditional view of education has been that every child should go to their local school and there receive at least a core 'education' of the same standard as every other child.That view implies that children go to school to be taught. It does not reflect the human reality that, even with the same stimulus, individuals react differently. To maximise learning even the core curriculum must be

Stephen Orrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18066370319559385592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2480453538212941025.post-623686430817191912008-01-17T16:18:00.000Z2008-01-17T16:35:23.234Z

I have just found a paper titled:"Fulfilling the Proper Aim of Education"By Myron Tribus given at the National Governor's Conferenceon Quality in Education in Detroit, Michigan in 1997It outlines the application of the Deming business quality philosophy to the world of education. What a change that requires - at all levels!Quality management was originally developed for industry.

Stephen Orrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18066370319559385592noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2480453538212941025.post-7298592144363756862008-01-15T16:05:00.000Z2008-01-15T16:20:37.805Z

The Centre for the Economics of Education at London School of Economics published a paper on the effects of the following reforms:Market reformsCurriculum reformRaising participation in Post-Compulsory SchoolingHigher Education reformA significant conclusion was: Of course knowing what works in education is not sufficient to inform policy. As economists, we need to inform policy-makers about what

Stephen Orrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18066370319559385592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2480453538212941025.post-4595297413589040542008-01-14T15:55:00.000Z2008-01-15T15:29:20.021Z

Here is a useful summary of the background to Education policy from the Robert Gordon University.In particular I like the categorisation of approaches as follows:Education has been particularly significant as an instrument of social policy, in the sense not only of policies for welfare but also as policies intended to deal with the structure of society. The aims of education include:Liberal

Stephen Orrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18066370319559385592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2480453538212941025.post-60386179292861410352008-01-11T14:56:00.000Z2008-01-15T15:34:50.141Z

These are the people who have to be involved in the setting of objectives and development of policies:1) The GovernmentThe government is the agent for society as a whole. There is no dispute now that education should be compulsory for all children even though starting and finishing ages may not have the same universal agreement.On our behalf the government collects the taxes and sets a budget for

Stephen Orrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18066370319559385592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2480453538212941025.post-90680749867715050732008-01-10T15:38:00.000Z2008-01-10T15:49:58.774Z

The new Department for Children, Schools and Families leads work across Government.It says their purpose is to ensure all children and young people:stay healthy and safe secure an excellent education and the highest possible standards of achievement enjoy their childhood make a positive contribution to society and the economy have lives full of opportunity, free from the effects of poverty So

Stephen Orrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18066370319559385592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2480453538212941025.post-76182167836065465142008-01-10T15:23:00.000Z2008-01-10T15:31:55.489Z

One of the reasons for concern about our education standards is the need to keep our economy competitive with potential new rivals in a globalized future where resources may be scarce.It is very difficult to get an objective measure of different education systems. This information suggests we are losing ground.When compared only with other members of the OECD in the Programme for International

Stephen Orrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18066370319559385592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2480453538212941025.post-60449144475094961442008-01-10T10:54:00.000Z2008-01-10T10:57:33.743Z

http://www.epolitix.com/EN/Bulletins/PressReview/fullpressreview.htm?bulletindate=10-Jan-2008See the latest sorry story.

Stephen Orrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18066370319559385592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2480453538212941025.post-5193764366999434172008-01-10T10:34:00.002Z2008-02-15T16:35:21.446Z

A Labour Government, that started in 1997 with the claim of putting Education at the top of their list of priorities, now has to defend a record of relative decline in the international league and too many 16-year-olds leaving without significant qualification.Yet I can find no active public discussion on the fundamental question of what education policy should be trying to achieve. There are now

Stephen Orrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18066370319559385592noreply@blogger.com0