New English and Maths tests to raise teaching standards

[Strix]

Personally, I think its time that schools start teaching older children about money management; about responsible family planning; about personal responsibility. If they could manage that along with turning out young adults who are literate and numerate, then they'd be doing a good job IMO.

I've been banging on about that for years. The system doesn't seem to consider the background some kids come from, and where they intend to wind up in life. If they can read, write (and don't get me started on that one. SF has the most appalling level of English I've come across on the net), and handle enough maths to fathom a gas bill (though that may be going a bit too far), but have learned the life skills they haven't been able to acquire from home, then surely society would be a better place, at least for their offspring?

 

I saw a very interesting documentary about a primary school in a VERY under privileged area. Manners and discipline were the highest things on the agenda. They ran anger management for those who struggled with these basics. The whole thing provided a much more conducive environment to learning, and results skyrocketed - of their own accord

[Anna B]

The government announced new tests today, in an attempt to raise the standard of teachers.

 

Why bother when the government allows non-teachers to teach our children? Non-teachers should not be allowed to teach our children. I want my children to be taught by qualified teachers, except for when specialist 'guests' are invited, eg for health lessons. First, the government needs to sort this mess out, then, they should look at the standards of teaching by actual teachers. The government should forbid schools from allowing non-qualified teachers to teach our children on the timetable, and for cover purposes just because it saves them money and is more convenient for them. They should also abolish the fastrack system where good graduates without a teaching qualification can teach our children, as first of all, they need to learn HOW to teach. Someone who is great at their subject, does not make them a great teacher.

 

Well said.

 

Also, if I was a teaching assistant I'd refuse to teach whole classes for less pay than a teacher.

 

I think the government thinks that once the work is set by the teacher, all the children simply sit down and quietly get on with it, leaving the teaching assistant to sit at the teacher's desk and more or less babysit.

 

Nothing could be further from the truth.

[Strix]

Well said.

 

Also, if I was a teaching assistant I'd refuse to teach whole classes for less pay than a teacher.

 

I think the government thinks that once the work is set by the teacher, all the children simply sit down and quietly get on with it, leaving the teaching assistant to sit at the teacher's desk and more or less babysit.

 

Nothing could be further from the truth.

If you're over 50 years old, that was possible when you went to school - the babysitter just whacked anybody who spoke or moved

[JFKvsNixon]

Well said.

 

Also, if I was a teaching assistant I'd refuse to teach whole classes for less pay than a teacher.

 

I think the government thinks that once the work is set by the teacher, all the children simply sit down and quietly get on with it, leaving the teaching assistant to sit at the teacher's desk and more or less babysit.

 

Nothing could be further from the truth.

 

There is still a huge difference between the teachers roles and the teaching assistants roles though. For example, the teacher will be the one held accountable if their classes exam results fall below what was expected.

[cgksheff]

It is a fact that there are some incompetent teachers in the system.

The system should to be adjusted to ensure that all teachers have an adequate level of English and Maths. The equivalent of a 'C' at GCSE should not be an unreasonable expectation.

 

 

If an individual shows exceptional ability and teaching skills, is it sensible to ignore their talents in preference to a "qualified" teacher who may be about as much use as a chocolate fireguard? Schools full of "qualified" teachers are failing our children as we speak.

 

Academies and Free Schools will survive only by their success.

Some of my best teachers had no qualification other than their academic degree.

 

But .... at the end of it all, schools can only work to the best of their ability if School, Parents, Teachers, Unions and the Authority come to a mutual understanding that poor behavioural standards and discipline are unacceptable and that must be dealt with effectively.

[Darth Vader]

It is a fact that there are some incompetent teachers in the system.

Yes, but no more than in any other profession, in fact probably less due to scrutiny they come under and OFSTED inspections, not to mention the aggro from pupils, parents, etc.

 

The system should to be adjusted to ensure that all teachers have an adequate level of English and Maths. The equivalent of a 'C' at GCSE should not be an unreasonable expectation.

 

I thought it had. I know the rule was relaxed a few years ago as the shortage of teachers was so severe, but I’m sure it was reinstated a few years ago.

Ensuring teachers have A* in 8 GCSEs and firsts from universities won’t make a difference when pupils are being taught by people other than teachers.

If an individual shows exceptional ability and teaching skills, is it sensible to ignore their talents in preference to a "qualified" teacher who may be about as much use as a chocolate fireguard? Schools full of "qualified" teachers are failing our children as we speak.

I know some excellent teachers who are very gifted. They will tell you that it’s not all about ‘talent’ although of course that helps but it is more about the quality of the teacher training they received. Teaching is a trade, it is learnt. You do excellent teachers a great disservice when you imply anyone with ‘talent’ can do it. Exceptional teaching skills are learned.

Schools are not “full of qualified teachers”, on the contrary, that is my point, fully qualified teachers are being replaced by cheaper non-qualified members of staff who have no teaching qualification and more often than not, not even a degree, and our children deserve better.

Academies and Free Schools will survive only by their success.

And who is going to decide when enough is enough, after academies fail children in our city year upon year? How many children’s education has to be written off before we say ‘stop’?

Some of my best teachers had no qualification other than their academic degree.

For the children who are in our schools now, that is not enough.

 

But .... at the end of it all, schools can only work to the best of their ability if School, Parents, Teachers, Unions and the Authority come to a mutual understanding that poor behavioural standards and discipline are unacceptable and that must be dealt with effectively.

And pupils and governors too. Heads of course are pivotal in this, and so is a good local authority to provide the framework.

[gnvqsos]

Interestingly you don't have to hold any sort of teaching qualification to teach in a private school.

 

yes but the applicants will have degrees and similar qualifications which outrank the assistants and supervisors found in schools.

[Guest sibon]

This is yet another bit of spin from Michael Gove.

 

If he really wants the best teachers in our schools, he'd be better looking at the terms and conditions that teachers work under. He could maybe stop attacking the profession from every possible direction. He could use his office to improve the image of the profession and make it attractive to our brightest and best graduates.

 

That would be a much better idea than making teachers pass tests set at the same level that 16 year olds attain on a regular basis. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for making sure that teachers are intellectually capable of doing the job. I just don't think that this is the way to make sure that they are.

 

Mind you. "Tougher Tests For Trainee Teachers" will make a lovely headline in the Mail. I guess that was the major motivation for this initiative.

[WalkleyIan]

I thought it had. I know the rule was relaxed a few years ago as the shortage of teachers was so severe, but I’m sure it was reinstated a few years ago.

 

Department of Education website currently stipulates a minimum requirement of a grade C in English & Maths at GCSE.

 

http://www.education.gov.uk/get-into-teaching/faqs/general/basic-requirements.aspx

[Darth Vader]

This is yet another bit of spin from Michael Gove.

 

If he really wants the best teachers in our schools, he'd be better looking at the terms and conditions that teachers work under.

 

I heard on the radio recently that only one in four new teachers stay in the profession beyond four years.