Curriculum for Excellence

[Rabmacd]

Is there anyone out there, who thinks that the current Government led initiative "Curriculum for Excellence" is a mistake?

How is she doing...............

Homework (tick)
Effort (tick)
Behaviour (tick)

Results........eh we don't report on that.

You can have a shed, though.

[kintyre 84]

I think I agree Robert. The worrying thing is that when we find out whether it has a positive or detremental effect on our children it will be too late!!!

[Rabmacd]

Thanks for posting Kintyre 84,

We need more, though

[Govangirl]

I don’t live (or teach) in Scotland so I don’t know if you’d allow me to have a say when it clearly doesn’t affect me or my children but I have an opposite view.
Personally, I get very frustrated here with our prescriptive, watered-down, moribund National Curriculum which is so focused on assessment and frighteningly, is currently (imho) producing more and more disempowered teachers and (more importantly) disengaged learners.
I looked up a description of the ideas behind your CfE:

People argued for changes which would: reduce over-crowding in the curriculum and make learning more enjoyable; better connect the various stages of the curriculum from 3 to 18; achieve a better balance between ‘academic’ and ‘vocational’ subjects and include a wider range of experiences; equip young people with the skills they will need in tomorrow’s workforce; make sure that assessment and certification support learning; allow more choice to meet the needs of individual young people.
The Purposes and Principles of the Curriculum 3-18 (2004).

Personally, that’s great! Scottish Education at present is valued throughout the world – this way, many of the good aspects of your existing curriculum would stay but what I’ve learned about the changes is that it would also better prepare children for a changing, 21st century world. To me, Scotland has an opportunity to meet the needs of all its learners, an opportunity to take a real lead in world education. Here in England, I get so frustrated because we are teaching 21st century kids with a 19th century curriculum.
I know folk struggle with and often fear change but I’m wondering if somewhere deep in the Scottish psyche there exists some internal mechanism which needs to undermine and attack anything which is vaguely aspirational. And that's ironic considering our history of progression and innovative ideas! Of course, I could find many faults or things I don’t agree with in this move to improve Scotland’s education system but are you suggesting there is not a need to change the system? Are you entirely happy with the system as it is? If so, I can understand why you wouldn’t want to tinker with it but think of the pupils of Scotland leaving school in the next ten years – will they be equipped for such a changing world? Rab, I don’t know how old you are but I daresay you were taught under a very prescriptive and exam-driven system. The key to this change is that the policy-makers must show you and other parents that the benefits of CfE are very real and relevant to your children if they’re to live in a global society or even to drive Scotland’s prosperity. Quite honestly, I don’t think you can afford to pass up an opportunity to implement this in such an age of rapid development and change.
Me? I have a great passion for my subject and would much prefer to encourage deeper thinking and independent skills in my pupils than teach them to jump through a set of skills just to pass exams.
Now the point here Rab is that I’m just reading about the changes and have no idea of how it is going to be implemented in schools so in actual fact it may well be that it will be a huge gamble with kids’ futures. I hope there is a healthy debate on here and folk will articulate what they don’t like in this new curriculum.

Sorry I began saying I probably have no right to a say and then . . .

[argylltourist]

Govangirl
Don't apologise! Your comment was very eloquent and rational...what's not to like?

You are also correct re 21st century learning.We do instinctively poo poo new ideas and defend the "old ways" too often. I for one would quite like to give CfE a chance at least.

Perhaps we should ask those who are in the proccess of receiving this new method what they like or dislike?

As long as we NEVER go back to using phoenetics ,My sister is still unable to spell properly!!!!!

[Rabmacd]

Great post Govangirl---exactly what this thread needed. I am indeed of the age to which you refer-----20th century , not 19th-honest

I have a daughter who is the first line of CfE in Scotland, and I have read school reports that tell me she gets on with folk, does her homework, tries, all things that I know, but at no stage does the report tell me if she is "struggling" or having difficulty with any particular subject or doing well for that fact.

I have concerns about-- if she is lucky enough to get to a fifth/sixth year, how her qualifications will be recognised if she were to apply for a Uni in England--because as far as I can tell she won't have O levels or Highers

I have concerns that some of the international models that the Scottish Government are using have already binned the CfE.

I feel sorry for the teachers, who have been forced to sign up to/ adpot it, because it must be a learning curve for them too.
In the meantime we have a bunch of kids, in the middle of what I would call a "test".

You are correct that the Scottish model for education stands up against any in the world.

Why change it?

[WC1]

Highers and Advanced Highers will remain, Robert, and will continue to be recognised as qualifications for entry to universities both north and south of the border. There's a kind of points tariff for the different levels of pass at present, which takes account of the difference between Highers and A Levels, and that will remain. The main change in qualifications is that Standard grade and Intermediates will be replaced with new "National 4 and 5" qualifications.

CGS has held information sessions for parents about the new curriculum and about the structures through which they plan to deliver it. I have no doubt they will continue to do so as their plans progress.

[Rabmacd]

Thank WC1. I was indeed at a meeting, prior to my daughter going into S1, and it was informative. I wasn't convinced about the change, along with other people. It may well be that I am too set in my ways.

I am in no way getting at any individual schools as CfE has been forced on them. (Not that you suggested I was)

Govan Girl has posted the "ideals" that CfE is striving to achieve---it makes great reading but I'm not yet convinced that I am seeing how these ideals will be or rather are being applied.

[Rabmacd]

I attended another open meeting at Campbeltown Grammar School tonight, aimed at allowing staff/parents/pupils to have their say on how they feel CfE is coming along. I have to admit that, whilst I still hold some reservations, I feel a lot more confident in the way this particular initiative is going ahead at CGS.

We were given full and frank presentations, that were simply not available at the outset 18 months ago. In that short time lessons have already been learned, stakeholders being consulted, and I can now see a "plan" for the future. I like to think that we are "growing" into this together. Staff seemed to have answers to all the questions---probably because there are answers to the questions. They have to be asked, though.

I wouldn't say that I am yet a convert, but I feel 100% confident that CGS is trying its best.

Govan Girl, I may be coming around (slowly)

Rab

[Ags]

Have to agree Robert, I feel I have a bit of a weight off my mind after tonight's meeting. I have been extremely worried about our kids being in the "first phase" of CFE at CGS.
There was a huge amount of information to take in tonight and I will browse through it all again at the weekend, but overall I am happier having attended this evening.
I know it was a horrible night and a bad time of year but I thought there may have been a bigger turnout of parents/carers.

[kintyre 84]

I was sorry to miss the meeting but I had other commitments. I am more optomistic now reading your posts Ags and Robert. Hopefully I can hear through you Ags what was said.

I suppose its breaking new territory thats scary but having 2 other children going through the traditional education system one can't help comparing.

[Ags]

Will see if I can pick you up a copy of the handouts we were given MJ, if not I will happily photocopy mine for you, and attempt to explain it all!