Welfare Reform on the Web (May 2002): Education - UK - Schools
ASSESSMENT IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS: THE NEW TEACHER'S GUIDE TO MONITORING, ASSESSMENT, RECORDING, REPORTING AND ACCOUNTABILITY
V. Brookes
Buckingham: Open University Press, 2002
This book offers in-depth consideration to aspects of assessment from a practical perspective. It looks at:
- the relationship between assessment and learning;
- how assessment contributes to planning;
- ways of marking pupils work;
- writing reports for parents.
CATHOLICS FIGHT PLAN TO INTEGRATE PUPILS
G. Seenan
Guardian, Mar. 13th 2002, p. 14
Article discusses Scotland's segregated education system that separates children by religion at age five. There is widespread public support for its abolition on the grounds that separate schooling encourages bigotry, but politicians have little appetite for tackling the issue. Any proposals for the abolition of Catholic schools would incense the church hierarchy.
EDUCATION FOR CITIZENSHIP: IDEAS INTO ACTION: A PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR TEACHERS OF PUPILS AGED 7-14
N. Clough and C. Holden
London: Routledge Falmer, 2002
This book covers themes identified within the framework for citizenship education in the national curriculum. It provides useful material, which can be used in the classroom along with practical grounding in citizenship education. It covers key themes such as:
- social and moral education;
- community understanding and involvement;
- language skills and media literacy;
- demographic processes and political literacy, cultural diversity and global citizenship;
- human nights and environmental issues.
THE EXCLUSION ZONE
C. Ryan
Public Finance, Feb. 15th - 21st 2002, p. 26-27
Argues that the Labour government has come to recognise the limits of inclusiveness in education. New Labour appears to have accepted that mainstream education will not be possible for every child. In response, it has increased the number of available places in Pupil Referral Units for those with behavioural difficulties, and has funded in-school learning support units to enable teachers to remove troublemakers quickly from the classroom. Although integration is becoming more common, special schools continue to be in demand.
THE FOUNDATIONS OF LEARNING
J. Fisher
Buckingham: Open University Press, 2002
This book looks at how education can establish firm foundations for young children's learning. It introduces the principle of establishing firm foundations through an analogy with architecture before going on to look at:
- issues of the breadth and depth in early foundations;
- high level achievement for young children;
- the impact of stress on early development;
- meeting the needs of disabled children;
- making meaningful connections in early years;
- the consequences of inadequate investment in the early years.
GEOGRAPHY OF THE 'NEW' EDUCATION MARKET: SECONDARY SCHOOL CHOICE IN ENGLAND AND WALES
C. Taylor
Aldershot: Ashgate 2002
This book examines the transformation of the education system in England and Wales following a series of major reforms in the 1980s and 1990s. It looks at it as it is now, based on market principles for resource allocation. It examines the spatial organisation of the new market system, focusing on patterns of competition and choice based on pupil home postcodes and relates these to the decision making of parents. It compares different LEAs and schools in urban and rural areas, analysing the constraints created by space and geography. This book provides an understanding of the impact of the education market upon social mobility and community structure.
THE HEALTH PROMOTING SCHOOL: POLICY, RESEARCH AND PRACTICE
S. Denman et al
London: Routledge Falmer, 2002
This book examines the history, concept and challenges of the health promoting school. It covers health promotion ideas such as:
- personal, social and health education;
- citizenship and democracy;
- self-esteem and empowerment;
- environmental education.
INDUSTRIAL STRIFE "MAY HIT TEACHER RECRUITMENT"
J. Kelly
Financial Times, Mar. 7th 2002, p. 6
Official figures show that 26,000 graduates have applied for teacher training places in 2002, compared with 21,000 at the same time in 2001. Government has warned that industrial unrest could halt this encouraging trend.
INVESTIGATING GENDER: CONTEMPORARY PERSPECTIVES IN EDUCATION
B. Francis and C. Skelton
Buckingham: Open University Press, 2001
This book looks at the mysteries and complexities of the concept of identity. It provides an overview of the diverse areas of research within gender and education. The first section outlines recent changes, developments and challenges in the field. The second section examines recent innovations in theoretical debates on gender and education. An overview of particular areas such as sexuality, social class and masculinity is provided in the third and final section.
LANGUAGE MINORITY STUDENTS IN THE MAINSTREAM CLASSROOM
A. L. Carrasquillo and V. Rodriguez
Clevedon: Multilingual Matters Ltd, 2002
Provides a guide for second language teaching, learning theories and instructional strategies. The book aims to make mainstream educators aware that language minority students need:
- special attention;
- appropriate assessment;
- an appropriate language environment;
- a challenging curriculum.
If focuses on making instructional content relevant and understandable to English language learners.
MORRIS BEGS SCHOOLS TO AVERT THREAT OF STRIKE
J. O'Leary
Times, Mar. 6th 2002, p. 11
Discusses threatened industrial action by teachers over:
- implementation of performance-related pay;
- London weighting allowances.
(See also Financial Times, Mar. 6th 2002, p. 7; Independent, Mar. 6th 2002, p.2)
PARENTS GIVEN A SAY ON CUTTING COST OF UNIFORM
D. Charter and H. Studd
Times, Feb. 28th 2002, p. 8
School governors are to be sent new guidance on affordable uniforms after a report showed an alarming rise in families relying on handouts from charities. A complaints page for parents is being set up on the Department for Education web site, and officials will contact schools where there are genuine concerns.
(See also Guardian, Feb. 28th 2002, p. 11)
PRIMARY SCHOOLS SET NEW TARGETS FOR MATHS AND ENGLISH
J. O'Leary
Times, Mar. 14th 2002, p. 2
The government has set challenging new targets for primary schools to raise pupil achievement in English and maths by 2004. It expects 85% of 11-year-olds to reach the set standards in English and 78% in maths by the target date. The success rate for English is currently 75% and 71% in maths. Head teachers have condemned the new targets as unrealistic.
SCHOOLS SHAKE-UP WILL BREED RACISM, WARNS PROFESSOR
R. Garner and N. Pyke
Independent, Mar. 12th 2002, p. 8
Institutional racism in state schools may be increased if proposals in the Green Paper on the future of education for pupils aged 14 to 19 are implemented. This criticism applies to plans for vocational programmes for low achievers, for increased use of setting, and for the establishment of special programmes for gifted pupils. It is argued that teachers selecting pupils for these programmes are likely to underestimate the abilities of black pupils.
(See also Guardian, Mar. 12th 2002, p.5)
SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS, INCLUSION AND DIVERSITY: A TEXTBOOK
N. Frederickson and T. Cline
Buckingham: Open University Press, 2002
This book provides a comprehensive and detailed discussion of the major issues in special education. It places firm emphasis on inclusion and suggests practical strategies to maximize this while at the same time recognising the need for support. It takes full account of linguistic, cultural and ethic diversity. It addresses the new SEN code of practice; recognizes current concerns over literacy and numeracy; and offers comprehensive and detailed coverage of major issues in special educational needs.
TEACHER SHORTAGE IS DUE TO BOOST IN FUNDING, SAYS BLAIR
N. Morris
Independent, Feb. 28th 2002, p. 8
Reports that Tony Blair has conceded that the numbers of unfilled posts in teaching have risen. He attributes this to increased state funding of schools which has increased the numbers of available teaching posts.
WE WANT FREE DINNER!
Anon
Labour Research, vol. 90, Mar. 2002, p. 17-18
A survey of local authorities in England has revealed wide variations in the cost and quality of school meals.
THE WORK OF OFSTED
Education and Skills Committee
London: TSO, 2002 (House of Commons papers. Session 2001/02; HC 437)
Expresses concern that teachers find Ofsted inspections to be very stressful. Welcomes proposals for involvement of practising teachers and pupils in the inspection process. Supports the inclusion of the local education authority among those invited to contribute before an inspection is undertaken.