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Post by Deleted on Oct 21, 2010 22:47:24 GMT -1
The wean reports today that in her Advanced Higher class there is one textbook between 6 kids. The teacher's been helluva busy making photocopies of only the most relevant passages and even has to lobby for the photocopying 'allowance'.
Last year in Higher Art, the kids' imaginative work was limited by the scant materials available to the school. I was happy to buy her the basics but many families in this big urban school are neither as fortunate-- nor perhaps as motivated.
The school has been guillotining jotters in half horizontally since she was in S1. They ran out of even the half-jots by May last term.
There seems to be no shortage however, when it comes to remedial teaching, one to one, for those with 'behavioural difficulties'. The kids that disrupt classes where others are keen to learn.
A fleet of minibuses is also laid on daily to transport children from Young Offenders institutes to while away their time at school till they turn 16. There are also well-resourced support teams for kids for whom English is not their first language and 'family support' for those who're struggling with home issues, whether it be drink/drugs/divorce, whatever.
Rock, hard place? Surely helping those at 'disadvantage' shouldn't impact unfairly on what is clearly Glasgow City Council's paucity of ambition for the kids who DO want to achieve? Tall Poppy Syndrome or what?
If the wean does make it into Higher Education it'll be despite the school, not because of it.
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Post by ozneil on Oct 21, 2010 22:57:01 GMT -1
Its called "Dumbing Down" Its deliberate. It makes it easier for socialism to work.
Keep the masses ignorant and they are easier to manipulate so rely more on big brother to "look after" them. George Orwell was 40 years early in his book.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 21, 2010 23:11:30 GMT -1
You might be right, Oz, but I'd hate to admit it.
I'm hearing the same story from kids and parents throughout Glasgow, in different secondary schools. Resources for those who want to continue studies beyond Standard Grade are scant in the extreme. In my recent experience, good teachers are having to battle their corner with the school admins to allow kids to progress to Higher and Advanced Higher.
A 16 year old of my acquaintance broke down in tears when telling me that her southside school could not offer her Advanced Higher Music when she'd got an A in the Higher. Her only choice was to leave school and go to college, which was a financial burden to her family.
Yet another 16 year old I know took Advanced Higher Music in 3rd year. She lives in the Highlands and Islands where class sizes are a fraction of Glasgow's--and the region also attracts European money and oil 'conscience' money.
For shame, the inequality of opportunity. I am furious.
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Post by ozneil on Oct 21, 2010 23:28:28 GMT -1
Its not quite as bad here but heading same way  . The one saving grace being bright kids are cossetted and given every chance to succeed through "Selective High Schools". Even though they are supposed to be free it costs parents about £400- £500 a year in "extras". The compettion to enter thses selective high schools is fierce. We have 2 local ones...... One is good the other is excellent. There are over 1,500 applicants for 300 places (150 per) |
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Post by notanimby on Oct 22, 2010 5:24:52 GMT -1
Its called "Dumbing Down" Its deliberate. It makes it easier for socialism to work. Keep the masses ignorant and they are easier to manipulate so rely more on big brother to "look after" them. George Orwell was 40 years early in his book. Thats Fascism |
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Post by ozneil on Oct 22, 2010 7:27:22 GMT -1
Its called "Dumbing Down" Its deliberate. It makes it easier for socialism to work. Keep the masses ignorant and they are easier to manipulate so rely more on big brother to "look after" them. George Orwell was 40 years early in his book. Thats Fascism Or any regime aiming to be totalitarianeg Socialism |
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Post by westender on Oct 22, 2010 7:28:04 GMT -1
Its called "Dumbing Down" Its deliberate. It makes it easier for socialism to work.
Keep the masses ignorant and they are easier to manipulate so rely more on big brother to "look after" them. George Orwell was 40 years early in his book.  I think you'll find that compulsory universal free education IS socialism, and is designed to empower the people... see e.g. the Education Act of 1496: "The Education Act 1496 was an act of the Parliament of Scotland (1496 c. 87) that ordered the schooling of those who would administer the legal system at the local level. This made schooling compulsory for the first time in Scotland. The intent was to improve the administration of justice nationwide and to make the legal system more responsive at the local level. - and so on, over and over throughout the centuries in Scotland. |
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Post by westender on Oct 22, 2010 7:29:03 GMT -1
Or any regime aiming to be totalitarianeg Socialism  Oh dear. Tut tut. |
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Post by westender on Oct 22, 2010 7:32:48 GMT -1
Y ou might be right, Oz, but I'd hate to admit it.
I'm hearing the same story from kids and parents throughout Glasgow, in different secondary schools. Resources for those who want to continue studies beyond Standard Grade are scant in the extreme. In my recent experience, good teachers are having to battle their corner with the school admins to allow kids to progress to Higher and Advanced Higher.
A 16 year old of my acquaintance broke down in tears when telling me that her southside school could not offer her Advanced Higher Music when she'd got an A in the Higher. Her only choice was to leave school and go to college, which was a financial burden to her family.
Yet another 16 year old I know took Advanced Higher Music in 3rd year. She lives in the Highlands and Islands where class sizes are a fraction of Glasgow's--and the region also attracts European money and oil 'conscience' money.
For shame, the inequality of opportunity. I am furious.Not that it's any help, but I have been saying for years that education - at every level - in this country, is well and truly fucked. But no, the exams aren't getting any easier and the exam results are tremendous, year after year after year... all obvious smoke and mirrors and downright lies. I have been furious about what is happening for years. |
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Post by ozneil on Oct 22, 2010 7:36:42 GMT -1
I think you'll find that compulsory universal free education IS socialism, and is designed to empower the people... see e.g. the Education Act of 1496: "The Education Act 1496 was an act of the Parliament of Scotland (1496 c. 87) that ordered the schooling of those who would administer the legal system at the local level. This made schooling compulsory for the first time in Scotland. The intent was to improve the administration of justice nationwide and to make the legal system more responsive at the local level. - and so on, over and over throughout the centuries in Scotland. Wasnt it made compusory for each kid to attend school from the age of 8 to 12 or was it 4 to 8 early in 18th centuary a definite world first . But that was then Now it seems to be trying to reverse the trend of well educated Scots |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 22, 2010 18:34:50 GMT -1
Not that it's any help, but I have been saying for years that education - at every level - in this country, is well and truly fucked. But no, the exams aren't getting any easier and the exam results are tremendous, year after year after year... all obvious smoke and mirrors and downright lies. I understand why you think that--the levels of basic literacy and numeracy are fairly appalling---and very inconsistent depending on which Local Authority runs your school. My girl's in the middle of Highers again this year; English I would say is more analytical and less creative writing than the one I sat (therefore more 'learned' content), Maths and French on a par though, same with Modern Studies. What is definitely 'easier' is that spelling, grammar and punctuation (or lack of) are not deemed as important as getting facts on paper so in that sense, I agree with you that standards have dropped. However, deep knowledge and considerable study of each subject is still required. |
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Post by bormes on Oct 23, 2010 7:09:18 GMT -1
Its called "Dumbing Down" Its deliberate. It makes it easier for socialism to work.
Keep the masses ignorant and they are easier to manipulate so rely more on big brother to "look after" them. George Orwell was 40 years early in his book. I think you'll find that compulsory universal free education IS socialism, and is designed to empower the people... see e.g. the Education Act of 1496: "The Education Act 1496 was an act of the Parliament of Scotland (1496 c. 87) that ordered the schooling of those who would administer the legal system at the local level. This made schooling compulsory for the first time in Scotland. The intent was to improve the administration of justice nationwide and to make the legal system more responsive at the local level. - and so on, over and over throughout the centuries in Scotland. I can not argue there Westie, but it has changed and now Oz is right, my memory is Harold Wilson was the one who started the dumbing down of schools in Scotland. Can you agree with that ? |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2010 21:35:47 GMT -1
Wee postscript to my OP rant which was about scant book resources in Glasgow state schools. Today, the wean and her classmates trying for Advanced Highers were presented with an entry card for Glasgow University Library. Meaning they now have access to all the reference materials they need. Some of the teachers at her state school have (with some parent and child assistance  ) kicked up holy feck over not having the materials to teach the children properly. I feel an uncomfortably loud rendition of Todd's 'Just One Victory" is in order; oh, here he is now  www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9HqogbzHyg&feature=related |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 11, 2010 22:12:55 GMT -1
And a little more light on the horizon today ;D several WE school students, including the wean, have been recruited into a Glasgow University initiative to encourage bright kids from seriously under-performing local state secondaries to gain a place next year. Focus West identifies local kids who are potentially Glasgow Uni material and invites them to take part in first-year lectures and tutorials for a day here and there from now until May. Their attendance, contribution to classes and general willingness to study are marked and credits given for their work when they make their formal application for entry. I'm feeling pathetically grateful for the wean being given this opportunity, frankly I've been pretty upset lately that higher education seems more and more to have become the privilege of those with serious dosh, while state schools in big urban areas struggle. All animals are equal but some are more equal than others?  PAH! |
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Post by ozneil on Nov 11, 2010 22:27:51 GMT -1
Well done the wean.  Dont seriouisly bright kids get scholarships?? |
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I think you'll find that compulsory universal free education IS socialism, and is designed to empower the people...
) kicked up holy feck over not having the materials to teach the children properly.