I'm not surprised that not one person seems to have highlighted the double disadvantage of state schools, whereby they are FORCED to take the total disadvantaged demographic, because religion based schools are not so obliged. It is seen as too hard for both politicians and unions, and politically incorrect for academics.
Constitutionally, this is perhaps open to challenge?
Jim
2
Monday, 01 May 2006 16:08
Lorraine Muller
It is good to have so many teachers comments reflected here Graham, but what of the parents of children. Comments I made on the survey that placed some responsibility on the decline in standard onto the quality of teaching staff, and the cultural biases they bring to the classrooms, were not given consideration. If, in questioning the education system, parents ability to parent and childrens behaviour is put under the microscope, why not examine the role of the teachers? Some teachers I have encountered through my childrens education were inspirational and excellent educators. Unfortunately, too many were poor educators, some where slovenly and too many bought their prejudices to the classrooms. I believe that in order for the state ed system to function well, teachers need to attain certain standards of work as well as personal and mental hygiene. Parents, students and TEACHERS attitudes should be examined equally for a legitimate understanding of the state school system in Qld.
3
Monday, 01 May 2006 18:23
Dale Hack
While you are correct about the inability of someone who should know to be able to spell holistic, your writer should also learn the difference between "principal" and "principle" - see General Comments #04.
Cretins - You all scare me!
4
Monday, 01 May 2006 22:24
Veronica Jackson
Hi I was away so wasn't involved in this particular survey, so I won't comment at this stage many thanks
5
Monday, 01 May 2006 22:41
Graham Young
Lorraine,
Thanks for your comments. Don't think that your response wasn't taken into account - what happens on radio is always a gross oversimplification. What we highlight is always influenced by what we don't highlight. From a personal point of view I've always thought that teacher standards were an issue.
Dale, I think we'll plead guilty on the mispelling. Not a good idea to take cheap shots at anyone!
6
Tuesday, 02 May 2006 12:23
Vanessa
I have just submitted your follow up survey and there was no room for comments. Point 'g' - I think primary schools have their maths and English curriculum well balanced however, I think secondary schools are way out of whack. It was, therefore, difficult to answer that question as I would’ve liked to have answered ‘no’ for Primary and ‘yes’ for secondary. Point 'h' - What a ridiculous question; 'good' teachers. What is your definition of a 'good' teacher? Let's not go down the path of Howard's IR laws. ALL teachers deserve a decent wage not just the 'good' ones! If a teacher is not 'good' then address it through the appropriate channel/s. Teachers should not be on individual contracts with ‘less good’ teachers receiving a lesser wage.
7
Tuesday, 02 May 2006 15:46
Tim Bofinger
It is quite difficult to judge system vs system, which invariably happens as a result of a survey like this. I will say that the popular belief that private schools offer the better alternative in terms of discipline and values is a myth. I have encountered private schools I would not send my child anywhere near because of their poor standards, likewise some state schools. In a nutshell, it depends on the individual school, the spirit of the staff and attitude of parents and of course, the students.
I will say, as a primary teacher, responsible for the supervision of pre-service and new graduate teachers, my most pressing concern is the number of new teachers that aren't capable educators (probably a minority but an increasingly large one). The art of managing a classroom and relating to students seems to be diminishing under the pressure of imparting an ever-widening curriculum. The future I fear looks bleak for the teaching profession which will have a catastrophic impact on our young people.
8
Tuesday, 02 May 2006 20:16
Kev Smith
I tend to agree with Lorraine above in that some teachers in public schools should have their standards of teaching improved by constant inservice and retraining. Perhaps this is the same in the private sector but my exprience is not there. One of the biggest problems the public sector has, I feel, is that, although there are school based programs to follow, there is too much freedom for teachers to do only what interests them and for many themes to be repeated two or more times through primary school. Principals need to become much more involved in curriculum development, teacher retraining and supervision and finding out just what is being taught in their schools (including biases).Principals have so much admin work to do that this is impossible at the moment. There is a good argument for "managers" to be employed so Principals can do what they are great at, namely teaching and training teachers and ensuring a high standard of learning is going on.
9
Friday, 04 August 2006 18:21
Margaret
As someone who started with QLD Correspondence Sch and had very good basics, I feel that there should be a set curriculum that teachers are taught how to teach properly, up to grade 4, to ensure all children can read and are numerate. Regarding numbers - in my Scholarship year at a public school, there were 60 girls. From memory, there were about 10 who had difficulty with reading of the Vlll Reading material which comprised extracts from literature - Dickens, George Elliott, and 'Hereward the Wake' etc, but were functionally literate.
Constitutionally, this is perhaps open to challenge?
Jim
If, in questioning the education system, parents ability to parent and childrens behaviour is put under the microscope, why not examine the role of the teachers?
Some teachers I have encountered through my childrens education were inspirational and excellent educators. Unfortunately, too many were poor educators, some where slovenly and too many bought their prejudices to the classrooms.
I believe that in order for the state ed system to function well, teachers need to attain certain standards of work as well as personal and mental hygiene. Parents, students and TEACHERS attitudes should be examined equally for a legitimate understanding of the state school system in Qld.
Cretins - You all scare me!
I was away so wasn't involved in this particular survey, so I won't comment at this stage
many thanks
Thanks for your comments. Don't think that your response wasn't taken into account - what happens on radio is always a gross oversimplification. What we highlight is always influenced by what we don't highlight. From a personal point of view I've always thought that teacher standards were an issue.
Dale, I think we'll plead guilty on the mispelling. Not a good idea to take cheap shots at anyone!
Point 'h' - What a ridiculous question; 'good' teachers. What is your definition of a 'good' teacher? Let's not go down the path of Howard's IR laws. ALL teachers deserve a decent wage not just the 'good' ones! If a teacher is not 'good' then address it through the appropriate channel/s. Teachers should not be on individual contracts with ‘less good’ teachers receiving a lesser wage.
I will say, as a primary teacher, responsible for the supervision of pre-service and new graduate teachers, my most pressing concern is the number of new teachers that aren't capable educators (probably a minority but an increasingly large one). The art of managing a classroom and relating to students seems to be diminishing under the pressure of imparting an ever-widening curriculum. The future I fear looks bleak for the teaching profession which will have a catastrophic impact on our young people.
Regarding numbers - in my Scholarship year at a public school, there were 60 girls. From memory, there were about 10 who had difficulty with reading of the Vlll Reading material which comprised extracts from literature - Dickens, George Elliott, and 'Hereward the Wake' etc, but were functionally literate.