So where are we as Wales and her schools head into 2016?
The OECD figures will be out soon. Let's hope they show some form of progress for our students. Let's hope Donaldson can do some good. Let's hope. I am not filled with any form of hope mind you.
The IWA has raised the question through one of its thread and an article written by
Phillip Dixon of the ATL. He is concerned that education will fall from the spotlight once again. I am afraid that Labour will once again 'take their eye off the ball'.
Schools are big business, but why should it cost so much and can we do it differently?
Consider
Alison.com for example. Here is an Irish website full of courses, free courses, where the learning is free. I mean that is what it is all about isn't it - cost, sorry I mean learning. Alision is not alone...
Another interesting feature of education is
Core Education's top ten trends. Learner agency is one such trend where there is a clear movement away from the industrial approach to education where the teacher is the transmitter of content towards a learner centred approach. Another key area is entrepreneurship - where is this in the new or old curriculum. Where is the political will to drive such an ambitious and innovative domain of learning. Labour politicians certainly are not known for their knowledge in this area. The world will move on and Wales is left behind.
These are the cornerstones for Wales new model of education based on a Scottish model:
10 Principles for Curriculum Design
The Curriculum should be:
- authentic: rooted in Welsh values and culture and aligned with an agreed set of stated purposes;
- evidence-based: drawing on the best of existing practice within Wales and from elsewhere and on sound research;
- responsive: relevant to the needs of today (individual, local and national) but also equipping all young people with the knowledge, skills and dispositions for future challenges as lifelong learners;
- inclusive: easily understood by all, encompassing an entitlement to high quality education for every child and young person and taking account of their views in the context of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), and those of parents and wider society;
- ambitious: embodying high expectations and setting no artificial limits on achievement and challenge for each individual child and young person;
- empowering: developing competencies which will allow young people to engage confidently with the challenges of their future lives;
- unified: enabling continuity and flow with components which combine and build progressively;
- engaging: encouraging enjoyment from learning and satisfaction in mastering challenging subject matter;
- based on subsidiarity: commanding the confidence of all, whilst encouraging appropriate ownership and decision-making by those closest to the learning and teaching process;
- manageable: recognising the implications for and supported by appropriate assessment and accountability arrangements
Curriculum 2008 was none of these and will the government really allow for real inclusive learning? Will the government use evidence to base their decisions upon? Will it really be responsive? How can it possibly be "Authentic" when no debate has occurred with respect to "Welshness".
We can only hope and that just isn't good enough.
