Curriculum for the future
Posted by Sharon on April 25th, 2008
I read with much excitment the statement made by the Education Secretary Fiona Hyslop yesterday about the future of Scottish Education. This is truly a very exciting time in education and these plans will allow for a greater flexibility in the curriculum which will take away the pressures of subject choice and external exams for the younger pupils whilst equipping them with the necessary skills for later life. In addition, it will allow more time to study for Highers which, particulalry in History where there is vast amounts of information can be very rushed. I look forward to hearing more about this in the coming months.
May 6th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
I’m sorry to say Sharon but I do not agree with you. Fiona’s statement was blurred and unclear leaving many questioning why Higher Still was brought in in the first place, costing millions, and why we feel the need to replace a curriculum that is working. Standard Grade enables students who are low achievers to leave school with a graded exam (be it foundation or general) If you ask the majority of teachers they will feel that Standard Grade should stay.
May 6th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
John, I agree that the statement needs clarification as we still do not have the full details of the planned changes. However, I feel that Curriculum for Excellence and the flexibility that it will bring can only be a good thing in allowing us to meet the needs of all our pupils. For many pupils the rigidness of the Standard Grade, and for that matter the Higher Still courses, is not helping them achieve their full potential. Any move towards a more flexible curriculum can only be beneficial. As for all pupils leaving with a graded exam, many employers and colleges still only recognise Standard Grade level 3 and above for entry to their courses. Surely a curriculum that is based around skills and learning experiences must be better than one that is soley focused on a grade at the end of S4. Naturally it will be more difficult to quantify the learning experiences and to grade the levels of knowledge but these are elements that are still being discussed. Finally many schools have already moved away from Standard Grade and I think this is a very subject specific descision. Nonetheless for many it may be a case of ‘better the devil you know’.
May 6th, 2008 at 8:45 pm
Your comment relating to employers and colleges is actually false, esp for those who are low ability. Employers and colleges will look at all ‘graded’ exams.
A lot of schools, as you say, have moved from SG to Int courses however a lot of schools have also now moved back having taught both courses, realising that SG is far better for the students and that the Higher Still courses are too ‘wishy washy’. The new system that Fiona talks about (or doesn’t talk about) goes against everything Scottish education has been working towards in the last few years. I am all for ACE, as Drama suits it very well and many schools are using drama techniques to meet the guidelines, however those who are proposing are not those who are teaching and are not fully aware of the outcome their plans will have in the classroom or on the student who is sitting the exam