National Curriculum review at risk of political hijack
12 Jun 2012
The draft review of the primary National Curriculum has much to commend it, especially if you can see past the smokescreen of political spin about it being a 'back-to-basics' approach and a 'return to rigour' and a reversal of decades of dumbing down.
The radical nature of the reform has also been overblown, as much of what is proposed is not so different from the existing curriculum.
The report of the expert panel, on which it is largely based, was thoughtful and balanced, stressing the need to give teachers the freedom to innovate and adapt teaching to their own pupils' needs, whilst also emphasising some of the key elements of knowledge that all pupils should master.
Most of this has survived the political process it has been through over the past few months since the panel reported. But, sadly, not all of it.
The biggest danger is that - as with previous versions of the National Curriculum - there will still be too many compulsory requirements and that the core elements will, in practice, drive out the broader elements of the curriculum because it is these that will be the focus of inspectors' judgements, statutory testing, and performance tables.
On this score, it was very interesting to note that one of the expert panel, Professor Andrew Pollard, has already expressed his concerns about the political hijacking of the original report.
Writing on the Institute of Education's blog, he wrote:
'But the approach is fatally flawed without parallel consideration of the needs of learners. Primary teachers consider the overall experiences of each child, and try to provide a broad and balanced curriculum as is required by law. The skill and expertise of the teacher lies in building on each pupil’s existing understanding and capabilities, and in matching tasks to extend attainment. To do these things, they need scope to exercise professional judgement.
However, on the basis of the new National Curriculum proposals, they are to be faced by extremely detailed year-on-year specifications in mathematics, science and most of English. This is to be complemented by punitive inspection arrangements and tough new tests at 11. The new curriculum will preserve statutory breadth, we are told but, whilst teaching of a foreign language is to be added, provision for the arts, humanities and physical education is uncertain at this point. The constraining effects on the primary curriculum as a whole are likely to be profound and the preservation of breadth, balance and quality of experience will test even the most committed of teachers.'
The big issue that remains to be clarified is what will happen to assessment at primary school level, since we know that assessment very often drives the curriculum and teaching. The expert panel wants to do away with all the current National Curriculum Levels and seemed to prefer a system which simply measures whether or not a child has mastered what is needed to be able to move on to the next stage of education. As they put it in their report:
'In plain language, all assessment and other processes should bring people back to the content of
the curriculum (and the extent to which it has been taught and learned), instead of focusing
on abstracted and arbitrary expressions of the curriculum such as ‘levels’. We believe that it
is vital for all assessment, up to the point of public examinations, to be focused on which
specific elements of the curriculum an individual has deeply understood and which they have
not. As the research on feedback shows, summary reporting in the form of grades or levels
is too general to unlock parental support for learning, for effective targeting of learning
support, or for genuine recognition of the strengths and weaknesses of schools’
programmes.'
As they say, this would mean radical change to performance tables which instead of being based on the percentage of pupils achieving at each level (2, 3, 4, 5 etc) would mean schools would simply be judged on the proportion of children who are ready to progress to the next stage.
This seems an excellent idea not least because it would encourage schools to focus on the whole range of pupils, trying to ensure no-one is left behind. However, in his letter to the panel (published with the new draft curriculum yesterday) the Education secretary, Michael Gove, seems to be resisting this. He says that he believes 'it is critical that ... we provide for a focus on progress Some form of grading of pupil attainment in mathematics, science and English will therefore be required'.
It would be a shame if, having presided over the production of such a good and balanced report, Mr Gove lets his wishes to retain current school performance tables and measures get in the way of progress.
User Comments
Search this website
Rebecca Hanson - 12 Jun 2012
Proposals for reforming assessment for students up to the age of 14
Given that there has been no proper consultation going on about this topic, I've been working it for the last year myself with the help of the many incredible people I have me on linkedin.com.
Here's my blog on what I found, which focuses on how we should utilising ICT systems to properly integrate formative and summative assessment, allow curriculum innovation, share information with many parties and accredit progress with automatic testing (for topics which are easily testable), teacher and student reflective observation (for topics which are not easily testable) but also allow any accredited professionals to use any other reasonable method of assessment.
My blog on this is in 10 parts which start here:
http://mathseducationandallthat.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/assessing-students-up-to-age-14-much.html
All comments welcome (please comment on the blog).
Kevin Hewitson - 12 Jun 2012
Feedback without grades or levels
For over 10 years I have been using a way of helping students to assess their learning that does not use marks or grades. What is more it is more effective and helps direct learning in a much more informed way. I have produced an outline of my method of feeding back without marks or grades. You can find it here: http://www.ace-d.co.uk/id10.html
Look for "A Better Way to Mark".
Contact me if you would like a more detailed explanation of how it works and how to integrate it into teaching and learning.
Kev
Dave Peck - 12 Jun 2012
Removal of levels
There is one consequence of the 'mastery before moving on' approach which no-one seems to have mentioned.
In many countries where this is the established system, there are considerable numbers of young people who fail to make the grade each year.
As a consequence they are kept back to repeat years and leave school long after their age cohort. Some simply go through school without ever encountering success at any level.
Rebecca Hanson - 13 Jun 2012
Concerns from Andrew Pollard
Andrew Pollard - one of the four people on the expert panel - has attacked the new curriculum.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2012/jun/12/michael-gove-curriculum-attacked-adviser?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter&goback=%2Egmp_126310%2Egde_126310_member_124057848
In my personal experience I've been very shocked by the extent to which Tim Oates' comments on this National Curriculum review have consistently fallen far short of the standard of insight you would expect for someone in such an important position.
Mike Hutchins for Creative Thinking Skills - 20 Jun 2012
Creative Thinking Skills
Reading to young children is a great way to boost their creative thinking skills. As well as opening up their mind to new ideas and scenarios, you can turn the book into the topic of discussion. Discuss why certain characters acted in a certain way, and how they could have done things better. By asking questions you are encouraging the child to analyse and scrutinise little details. Critiquing simple aspects of the book is good way to encourage creative thinking skills.
http://www.goodmorningchildren.com/creative-thinking-skills
Trenecown - 03 Feb 2013
A Brand New Dummies Help Guide For replica watches Explained
It's a nice straightforward http://www.omegareplicas.co.uk>omega watches but don't count on it to final additional than 1 year. Just after 12 months the wrist strap fell off and I had to superglue it for the watch. Some weeks later the digital display just froze. I function as a lifeguard within the summer so it was frequently applied within the water but I do not think this ought to impact a watches durability.It's fairly low cost so not a huge deal. Opened the shipment to locate a non-op http://www.bestcasioreplica.com>replica watches, nothing around the screen. The battery might be dead or some thing else could be incorrect. Amazon must have visually checked the item ahead of shipping because it was not within a sealed package and also you could see the watch via the viewing holes inside the box. - This watch didn't tell the time it wasted it!Do not buy. Although it can be really comfortable and low-cost, I did not even wear the watch for extra than a single day along with the face got all scratched up. The bulkier 5600 is really a far better bet for any one particular that may be not super gentle with their watches. I purchased this http://www.bestcasioreplicawatches.co.uk>casio watches to put on as a bit "beater" for when Im functioning inside the yard and undertaking things outdoors. I'm a little of a watch buff and have an extensive collection of Citizen and Seiko time peices. Just after looking at G-Shock watches, I chose this Casio; it's a nice watch and it serves its purpose.The watch will not be too substantial but not small either, the band is comfy, the bezel does move in either direction, as well as the day/date are simple to set. I contemplate the watch to become light-weight, I don't notice it on my wrist, but I have also been wearing heavy watches for far more than a decade so I might be biased.Contrary to other reviews, the hour and minute hands are luminous, and so would be the hour indicators (12,1,two, etc.) The tip in the second hand can also be luminous. I had to shine a light around the watch face to get the luminous components to "charge" up ideal out with the box, but the elements I indicated do read nicely within the dark without having ancillary light.For the value, this really is a nice small watch that tells the time, ought to tolerate sensible abuse with out complications, and is made by a reliable manufacturer. Purchase it! Right here can be a fantastic basic military-dive-style replica watches uk with features which includes readable numbers on the face and Seconds printed on a Rotating Bezel,and water-resistant to 100m devoid of the $400.00 price tag. Hooray! It really is g-shock size huge, but at about 40mm, not ungainly, and NOT HEAVY! Quite readable at a glance. Even though it won't fool any individual who looks close about becoming an pricey time-piece, for the reason that it is not shiney, or super heavy, it meets the needs of what I was in search of!
Pumitabeatt - 19 Feb 2013
Once Men And replica watches Wage War
I've really a few http://www.bestomegareplica.com>omega watches ranging from sophisticated ones like abacus to ESQ. Nevertheless, this can be a classic watch that has a timeless value and does the job quite well. I had 1 like this over ten years ago and didn't know what come about to it. This is a single watch it is possible to have all day in your hand with no even knowing it. Looks great, keeps precise time and for much less than $15, what else can I say? I don't know if amazon will probably be about for ten years to provide a follow-up evaluation, but I hope it makes it. It seems like a sturdy watch that has been about considering the fact that the 90's and strategy on going on and on. For 15 bucks and alter, You cannot GO Wrong WITH THIS http://www.bestcasioreplica.co.uk>replica watches, just arrived yesterday and it makes me wonder why I devote funds on more high-priced watches. Cons-the crystal likely scratches pretty very easily considering the fact that it is actually so affordable. My first watch was a casio possibly way back in 1982 or 1983 and really similar to this one particular. Even though it may perhaps get beaten up effortlessly it HAS Every single FUNCTION You could WANT Inside a WATCH. Really effortlessly replaced each and every 2 to three years if it gets as well beaten up. Thanks Casio for a genuinely legendary item. I really like this http://www.bestcartierreplica.co.uk>cartier sale. It was delivered as promised. This can be a basic digital watch that has an awesome feeling to it and is very comfortable. This can be the second watch I acquire, the first one I took to Cuba and gave it to a relative as a gift as a result of its durability and strong bracelet also resistance to dust, sweat and continuous usage. I would recommend this watch to any individual. The description on Amazon.com is terrific along with the transaction and delivery went without any difficulties. I give it five stars. I've owned replica watches previously and they function flawlessly. I was searching for a reliable watch to utilize at my perform due to the fact I work with chemicals and in a industrial environment I wanted a Casio because they are Tough so it might withstand the work I do! What I didn't like aboiut this specific model could be the SIZE--it's too smaller. This watch is ok for any boy or an individual young, but its just too smaller for guys my size. I am six feet tall and have significant hands--- I am just a large guy! I hope my report will assistance large guys know this watch is too little for them. Too undesirable you will discover no dimensions specified on the description. However, it really is CASIO and is superior!
http://www.rolexreplicaukstore.co.uk>rolex replica uk