The Importance of Teaching – #eduwhitepaper and responses
November 26, 2010
Updated 29th November
The widely trailled Education White Paper (#eduwhitepaper) was launched yesterday to huge numbers of tweets. At one point “Michael Gove” was trending on twitter (about 6th most popular phrase on the social networking site!). It marks the biggest change to education in some time.
Rather than comment at this point, here is a handy reading list to help you find out about the changes.
The White Paper itself
This is the detailed white paper in sections but with lots of long words and detail. Read this if you have time and are REALLY interested.
The White Paper as a Wordle
The White paper as a presented as a wordle (beautiful word cloud). The largest words are those mentioned most. Technology is really tiny!
Fantastic and simple explanation of the White Paper
From Mike Baker’s blog, this is a quick and simple (5 minute) read with all the jargon stripped out. It tells you what is really going on.
A further summary (with video)
Summary of the White Paper from Teacher’s TV. Also with video.
Another Summary from Gary Hollingsbee – Malling Holmesdale Federation, Kent
A longer summary that seems to cover most bases. Really useful blogpost.
Responses
NAACE Letter to M. Gove 23.6.10
A view of ICT in the new curriculum – retrospective.
The CBI
Generally good but more emphasis wanted on separate sciences.
Teach First
Very good as you would expect – Teach First is a big government favourite.
The National Education Trust
Again positive response focusing on teacher training in schools.
The Local Government Association
Broadly positive but caveats about pupil funding and provision for all students.
The Unions
As mixed bag, worried about the role of teachers and their pay (obviously).
The SSAT
Postive but really only talks about their own role and impact of white paper on that.
The Russell Group
Worried about moving teacher training into schools and away from universities.
Catholic Education Services
Concerned about moving teacher training into schools.
Further responses
University of Cambridge – Faculty of Education
Concerned about their role and how funding will work for teacher training.
Institute of Directors
Broadly in favour but worried about lack of focus on Numeracy and opportunity for schools to offer competing qualifications.
Conservative Home
Very positive blog from Conservative Home … but you’d expect that!
Jim Sweetman Blog
… And a different view from Jim Sweetman. Well argued.
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[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Ben Barton, Ben Barton. Ben Barton said: #eduwhitepaper. Full document, summaries and responses from Unions, Teach First SSAT and others. http://bit.ly/goc1Lb Its a mixed bag. [...]