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Education Journal No.105 (2007-6) |
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Diplomas are fatally undermined Ian Nash writes about how the Government’s focus on higher education and skills is undermining the impending roll-out of its Diplomas. They are opposed by at least four different groups. Students know what they want out of HE In the first of his regular monthly articles, John O’Leary writes about the latest National Student Survey and the significance if its findings. Students know what they want, and its not necessarily what ministers think they should want. Dearing to rescue foreign languages George Low reports on Lord Dearing’s recommendation to expand modern languages into primary schools. Higher Ground John Izbicki looks at medical degrees, the benefits of keeping in touch with friends, the art of advertising, Scotland’s scholarly superiority, the Teachers’ International Consultancy and history. Signposter is for individuals – an everyday tool for living, learning and earning! Brian Stevens, Director of FEdS Consultancy, writes about a new online system that provides easy access to personalised information on a range of lifestyle choices, and learning and employment opportunities. Short reports Disadvantaged teenagers get £40 per month for “positive activities”; truancy; the School Food Trust; Scottish focus on skills; multi-faith joint declaration on schools. Behaviour and attendance in schools Our Wales editor, Professor Ken Reid, reports on the interim report from the National Review of Behaviour and Attendance. Bringing history to life Professor Jack Lohman, Director of the London Museums Hub and director of the Museum of London, on the importance of GCSE history and the role museums can play in helping schools. Change your school for good Ben Hartshorn, South West Regional Co-ordinator for Enabling Effective Support, on the importance of global education in helping schools succeed. Aimhigher – widening participation in HE Viv Wylie, Aimhigher regional director (West Midlands), on how Aimhigher has worked to engage young people from disadvantaged groups and encourage and support their progression to higher education. A NEET solution – every young person matters Our children’s services editor, Chris Waterman, examines how post-16 provision can deliver what the economy needs and meet the needs of young adults. Children’s health The effects of the smoking ban in Scotland, claims that the brain never loses its capacity to learn, fathers refusing to talk to their children about sex, mothers on welfare, research into antisocial behaviour, and an unorthodox treatment for autism. General section Media Watch Obituary We record with regret the death of John Francis Watts, one of the foremost educationists of his generation, who died in May. Obituary by Mike Bannister. Opinion John Izbicki reports on some interesting initiatives he witnessed during his recent trip to Paris. No holding back Professor Colin Richards on David Cameron’s suggestion of holding back 11-year-olds who fail to achieve the required educational level. Book reviews Demitri Coryton reviews Teaching About Scientific Origins: Taking account of Creationism and Professor. Professor Colin Richards reviews Education by Numbers: the tyranny of testing by Warwick Mansell. Fun Page OECD report – UK could do better We report on the launch of the OECD’s Education at a Glance 2007 report. Reference section Conferences Demitri Coryton and Chris Waterman report on the annual conferences of Aspect, NFER, ADCS and BERA. Conference Round-up Document Reviews The documents reviewed this month are Education at a Glance 2007: OECD Indicators from the OECD, and Pupil Referral Units and Extended Services in Schools and Children’s Centres from Ofsted. Document Digest Reports Digest Reports from LEAs and CSAs, produced by EMIE at NFER, include those covering children and young people's interview guidance in Buckinghamshire, children's services in Cambridgeshire and guidelines for schools responding to bereavement in Harrow. Research section Research Digest Research Notes Our research editor, Michael Marshall, looks at truancy figures, the BERA conference and the National Student Survey. The harsh truth about truancy Professor Ken Reid, Deputy Principal, Swansea Institute of Higher Education, explains why the Government has got its sums wrong on official truancy figures. Short research reports Fathers’ quality time with their children, student loans for further education, music lessons, unfair pay for academics, and the impact on schools of changing headteacher. Service children, mobility and school performance Ian Schagen of NFER reports on research into whether the mobility of children from service families impacts on their progress and that of other pupils. Parliament section SNP unveils its Scottish skills strategy Arabella Hargreaves, editor of EPM Scotland, reports on a debate in the Scottish Parliament on the Scottish government’s skills strategy. Ending academic selection divides Ulster Though the leading partners in government, Sinn Fein’s policy to end selection is opposed by the DUP. Parliamentary Questions Answers to written Scottish parliamentary questions include those covering young people not in education, employment or training, pre-school provision, grantaided expenditure, dyslexia, the National Child Protection Line and services for children with disabilities. Phoenix John Dewey and POETS day. |