I have, over the past few months, commented on my concerns regarding the new National Standards in my newsletter to parents. As the Standards approach implementation in the new year, it seems timely to again look at why so many principals and teachers are opposed to this initiative.
There is a wealth of educational research from around the world that shows National Standards do not work! When I first moved from the UK system into the New Zealand one, it was like a breath of fresh air. The schooling system here is based on children's needs, it is fun, exciting and challenging and the new curriculum is wonderful. In contrast, the UK system has suffered greatly from years of National Standards that have forced schools to focus their attention on the few children who are on the cusp of "crossing the line". The children who are safely meeting the standard do not, therefore, get the extension that they need to keep their learning moving forward. Our New Zealand curriculum aims to educate the whole child and at Fendalton the key to that is knowing our children. It the relationships between teachers and children working together to meet individual needs that make a difference to their progress. National Standards risk narrowing the curriculum and over-simplifying learning.
If you would like to read more about some of the concerns with National Standards please follow these links.
Fact Sheet from the NZPF
New Zealand Principal's Federation
Academics’ Open Letter to Hon Anne Tolley
As an experienced Early Childhood Teacher, parent(thrid child arriving just before Christmas) and presently a trainning primary school teacher the National Standarda are alarming. They go against current motivation and education theory and many lectures at Christchurch College of Education can discuus the issues at lentgh against the standards. So why go backwards, sure we need a better approach but this isn't it.
ReplyDeleteThe one positive is that the Standards have got us all debating how parents are reported to.
I think all schools need to work on how they report to parents and ensure all children are supported with literacy, numeracy, arts, as well as their physical and emotional development
I urge parents to inform themselves on the issues surrounding the Standars before becoming involved in cafe' conversations when they are not informed of the issues or being sucked into the media hype around the standards, surely if academics and teachers are alarmed at the standards then we should take notice, rather than looking back in a decade and thinking "oh is that what the teachers, boards and principals were going on about"
Please read my feedback provided on the school reports that I have submitted John Shaw
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