Wednesday, May 12, 2010

What is your schools priority ?

I'm getting a bit sick of meeting teachers and principals who are focussing on the national standards. I can read Nag 2. We know what is expected. I recently met with my friends at Learning Network who said that the meetings and information stuff about National Standards have had huge attendance. The scary thing is that 90% of schools are making national standards their PD. Wake up you plonkers, show me your local curriculum, show me what you are doing with the NZC, show your communities how creative and hard working you are, show your kids the innovation and creativity you have as teachers.
What are people thinking making an election slogan their professional development emphasis??
Schools need to look at their values and make sure their priorities aren't compromised by competition and perceived success.
People need to get their priorities straight and a good start would be real Professional Development, not some made up rubbish from the peddlers who have sold their soul to the Ministers wallet.

NZConnectED

Follow Learning Network on twitter, retweet the NZConnectED conference, we owe it to the kids/classrooms of NZ who will soon be inundated with seen texts at 90%.

Tony Ryan: 'Zest practice' in the key competencies
The key competencies are not merely a slight reworking of curriculum documentation. They are a framework and an inquiry-based exploration for a life fully lived. This keynote will clarify the innovative nature of 'Zest Practice' for the key competencies in everyday classrooms.
Tony will also deliver the conference closing: "Now What?"

Julia Atkin: Picking up the gauntlet - doing justice to the spirit of the NZC
The NZ Curriculum has been warmly welcomed by NZ educators, but the apparent freedom if offers comes with significant responsibilities. What are these responsibilities and what are the key elements of the development and review process that will ensure your school does justice to the spirit of the NZ Curriculum?

Graham Watts: The class of 2023
In 2023 the children starting school this year will leave school. What is the future of teaching? How are we going about preparing our youngsters for unknown jobs and a future that is ever-changing? We need to develop the skilful thinkers with transferable learning skills.

5 comments:

Allan Alach said...

I agree strongly with your observations. Schools should be focussing on what really matters, not on jumping through compliance hoops and trying to make a silk purse. I don't understand why so many are
unaware of the threat imposed by the standards. Or are they just too scared to stand up for what they believe in their hearts?

Podgorani said...

Alan this little post has certainly hit a few nerves. I have had tonnes of contact via twitter, email and the like. We all know the truth now we need to challenge our colleagues.

Regan said...

Agree Luke (and Allan). Our focus at our school is on NZC, Formative Practice and Teaching as Inquiry. Don't have the time to include National Standards - our priorities lie elsewhere in developing our curriculum and vision.

Podgorani said...

it is saddening how much everyone has dropped everything to implements tests and measuring kids - how about teaching kids, working with kids.
we have to be strong for our kids and the classrooms

Jaco Broodryk said...

Totally Agree !

National what? Luckily my Board is with us and we will do the minimum required by law - for the rest its the Whakarongo Kid all the way!