England's "overloaded" national curriculum has led to a "tick list" approach to teaching and is in need of reform, a report says.
A study by Cambridge University's international exam group also says "overbearing assessment" has led to "narrow drilling for tests".
But it warns greater problems could be caused by revising it in the wrong way.
The government says any changes to the national curriculum will be based on international evidence.
The report by Tim Oates, head of assessment, research and development at Cambridge Assessment, concludes there are "significant structural problems" in the national curriculum "which need to be corrected". He adds that changing what has to be taught in schools alone will not improve the education system.
Teaching quality, teacher expertise, learning materials and inspection also need improving, he says.
He argues that a well-defined and enhanced national curriculum based on concepts, principles and key knowledge can lead to a greater focus on deeper learning, with fewer topics being pursued to greater depth.
The report, however, does find that the national curriculum has been effective in raising standards, improving pupil progression and has led to higher expectations for young people.
Mr Oates also suggests it would be important to use international comparisons when reviewing the national curriculum, but he advises against importing any system in its entirety.
He highlights how the best performing countries education-wise have much smaller populations than England and very different demographic and social situations.
I think it's always a good step to recognize the deficiencies in education when the problem is systematic. I agree with what Oates points out at the end when he says that you shouldn't import another country's system entirely. Each country has very different demographics, social tensions, administrative hierarchy, etc. I think we should study other countries' systems but also be aware that there is no easy solution.
I also agree with Oates when he stands for the national curriculum. It has been effective in raising standards, improving pupil progression and has led to higher expectations for young people.
The Prime Ministry of Education should recruit more teachers and prepare them for the future, because I also agree that teacher must be prepared for teaching.
I consider that all countries are different in the social, cultural, educational, political and economical themes and we should respect the point of view for each countries, we dont need to be perfect.
I consider that every country is different with regard to cultural,social, economic aspects and although every country is different,they have to respect to other. I agree with Mr Oates when he says that we have to improve the progress of children and on this way,they can get the best results and this can influence in their future.
To solve our problems we must never look to others, and as my colleagues say it is totally different country with completely different problems. Should begin around precisely define what our problems, defects or things that could be improved and do it. It is true that you can always look to other countries and make good things that can help. And never settle for, as Mr. Oates said when talking about teaching quality, teacher expertise, learning materials and inspection , there are always things to fix, everything can be improved.
I think educational system has to be improving and evolving steadily because society has experienced lot of changes in a very short time. I think we have to solve our problems by ourselves too but I actually think it helps taking some models of other countries as a guide to build our model of education
I'm agree with Oates because he had recognized that there are a lot of problems in the educational system. But the solution is to try to solve all this problems with a good manner.
In my opinion is a good idea to make these changes. By changing the national curriculum, and also changing what has to be taught in schools and improving teaching quality, teacher expertise, learning materials and inspection, this will be an advance for education. This change for the better education, to fix old problems and renewing some aspects of teaching, would be a good step for the future of students.
Our educational system is a copy of several educational different systems, but until they don´t understand that we are a very different people and with different needs, the educational system will not improve .
NATIONAL CURRICULUM 'LED TO TICK-BOX TEACHING'
ReplyDeleteEngland's "overloaded" national curriculum has led to a "tick list" approach to teaching and is in need of reform, a report says.
A study by Cambridge University's international exam group also says "overbearing assessment" has led to "narrow drilling for tests".
But it warns greater problems could be caused by revising it in the wrong way.
The government says any changes to the national curriculum will be based on international evidence.
The report by Tim Oates, head of assessment, research and development at Cambridge Assessment, concludes there are "significant structural problems" in the national curriculum "which need to be corrected".
He adds that changing what has to be taught in schools alone will not improve the education system.
Teaching quality, teacher expertise, learning materials and inspection also need improving, he says.
He argues that a well-defined and enhanced national curriculum based on concepts, principles and key knowledge can lead to a greater focus on deeper learning, with fewer topics being pursued to greater depth.
The report, however, does find that the national curriculum has been effective in raising standards, improving pupil progression and has led to higher expectations for young people.
Mr Oates also suggests it would be important to use international comparisons when reviewing the national curriculum, but he advises against importing any system in its entirety.
He highlights how the best performing countries education-wise have much smaller populations than England and very different demographic and social situations.
BBC news ,18 November 2010.
I think it's always a good step to recognize the deficiencies in education when the problem is systematic. I agree with what Oates points out at the end when he says that you shouldn't import another country's system entirely. Each country has very different demographics, social tensions, administrative hierarchy, etc. I think we should study other countries' systems but also be aware that there is no easy solution.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with Oates when he stands for the national curriculum. It has been effective in raising standards, improving pupil progression and has led to higher expectations for young people.
ReplyDeleteThe Prime Ministry of Education should recruit more teachers and prepare them for the future, because I also agree that teacher must be prepared for teaching.
I consider that all countries are different in the social, cultural, educational, political and economical themes and we should respect the point of view for each countries, we dont need to be perfect.
Thanks Inma!
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI'm agree with Mr. Oates too because, they have to admit mistakes of the curriculum to make it better
ReplyDeleteI consider that every country is different with regard to cultural,social, economic aspects and although every country is different,they have to respect to other.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Mr Oates when he says that we have to improve the progress of children and on this way,they can get the best results and this can influence in their future.
To solve our problems we must never look to others, and as my colleagues say it is totally different country with completely different problems. Should begin around precisely define what our problems, defects or things that could be improved and do it. It is true that you can always look to other countries and make good things that can help. And never settle for, as Mr. Oates said when talking about teaching quality, teacher expertise, learning materials and inspection , there are always things to fix, everything can be improved.
ReplyDeleteI think educational system has to be improving and evolving steadily because society has experienced lot of changes in a very short time.
ReplyDeleteI think we have to solve our problems by ourselves too but I actually think it helps taking some models of other countries as a guide to build our model of education
Any change in educational system is ok if it´s for good. I do not think that english will take a foreign educational system... they are too proud.
ReplyDeleteI'm agree with Oates because he had recognized that there are a lot of problems in the educational system. But the solution is to try to solve all this problems with a good manner.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion is a good idea to make these changes.
ReplyDeleteBy changing the national curriculum, and also changing what has to be taught in schools and improving teaching quality, teacher expertise, learning materials and inspection, this will be an advance for education.
This change for the better education, to fix old problems and renewing some aspects of teaching, would be a good step for the future of students.
I agree with Mr Oates, there are many problems in the educational system and coul make some changes.
ReplyDeleteOur educational system is a copy of several educational different systems, but until they don´t understand that we are a very different people and with different needs, the educational system will not improve .
ReplyDelete