National has not been able to get public opinion - or at least parental opinion - behind national standards.
While polling is said to show wide public backing for the idea once it is explained, there is vast confusion and ignorance of what the policy means.
In this void, opponents of national standards have dictated the public debate by highlighting flaws in such a measure of achievement.
We beg to differ. Because of the nature of our job, we talk to a lot of parents. And almost unanimously, they support what the government is doing in this area.
Why? Because they're parents, that's why. Because they want the best educational outcomes for their children. And because they understand that the education system, once among the best in the world, is not delivering results.
All the talk about confrontation with the unions etc is a side issue to parents. Overwhelmingly, the parents we speak to are delighted to see the Government stepping in and taking the action it promised, even if the responsible Minister has been a bit ham-fisted.
4 comments:
What's wrong with letting parents know how well their chidlren are learning - or not?
Agreed wholeheartedly HP. Sadly in the current environment, the parents are left out of the loop, or find out too late in the piece.
Keeping Stock, I agree with you. What I wrote was that the Government had failed to mobilise that strong public view of the desirability of standards behind it. However, sub-editing (proabably to fit the space in the paper) saw the copy altered.
John Armstrong
Flippin' subbies eh! Thanks for your comment John, and welcome aboard.
I don't think that Anne Tolley was the right person to sell the policy, but the intent of the policy can't be faulted IMHO.
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