Friday, September 21, 2012

The State is responsible for choosing schools

Education Week looks at a case in Louisville, where the court judged that it is right that the state should choose the school that children attend.  This affects state or public schools only; and it means that students do not necessarily attend the school closest to them.  It is an interesting judgement, one than might avoid sink schools by catchment area.  It needs to be done well, however.

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Rewards in Education

Mark Smith considers the benefits, and otherwise of using rewards in education.  My feeling is that students should not be praised, or rewarded for doing what is expected of them, for example, doing classwork or homework.  Praising impressive work, or impressive effort is worthwhile, however.  This article considers incentives that have been popular in many schools, namely giving prizes for work.

Monday, September 3, 2012

Home Education - a right?

I am uncertain about home education.  Part of me, that part that hated school as a child and experienced its flaws as an adult, thinks that the state should not interfere; not at least until it sorts itself out.  At the same time   there are many examples of neglect and abuse that suggest that we as a society have a duty to protect our children.  My inclination, however, is that we should not determine laws on the basis of what will avoid the worst in society.  If the review of Home Education in the UK is a reaction to high profile child abuse cases, it is wrong then.  Such cases should be studied for the exceptions that they are; and home education should not be criticised by an assumed association.