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Draft values statement in Britain removes reference to 'cultural heritage'

A requirement to teach Britain’s 'cultural heritage' to children aged 11–14 is to be removed from the country's national curriculum documentation under a proposal put forward by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA). The present documentation states: 'The school curriculum should contribute to the development of pupils' sense of identity through knowledge and understanding of the spiritual, moral, social and cultural heritages of Britain’s diverse society.' The revised proposal states that individuals should be helped to 'understand different cultures and traditions and have a strong sense of their own place in the world'. The new draft statement also removes an explicit requirement to teach the difference between 'right' and 'wrong' and explicit promotion of leadership skills. See article in The Times, 31 July 2006.

Call for kindergartens at government schools

More kindergartens should be attached or positioned close to state schools to stop an exodus of the children of working parents to private schools, according to Victorian AEU President, Mary Bluett. Fred Ackerman, President of the Victorian Primary Principals Association (VPPA), also supports closer links between government primary schools and preschools, arguing for public schools to provide a 'one-stop shop' for working parents. See report in The Age, 30 July 2006.

Global Teacher

Global Teacher is an online network created by the Victorian Education Channel and SLAV to provide a dualistic, interactive, cyber setting for educators and students to self publish. The network has been designed to enable educationalists from all over the world to work collaboratively, share educational materials and publish staff and student work. Staff will use a tailor-made blogging program called Global Teacher while students will use a twin program called Global Student.

Debate over vouchers

The Australian Government Education Minister, Julie Bishop, has reaffirmed her support for a voucher system that would give parents government funding for each child to be spent on either a public or private school. She has also commissioned a study of a possible voucher system for students with disabilities, which would enable those in public schools to attend private schools and take their government funding with them. Jennifer Buckingham of the Centre for Independent Studies has supported the voucher system in an article first published in the Canberra Times, 27 July 2006, however voucher systems have been criticised in a report from the Australia Institute. See also article in the Sydney Morning Herald, 20 July 2006.

Educational TV programs available from new online store

Designed for teachers, the new online EnhanceTV store offers subscription and free-to-air television programs and media studies articles. Delivery is made within seven days in either VHS or DVD format. The site also has more than 450 free film study guides, an online TV guide, weekly email newsletter with educational TV highlights and latest news, which is updated on a daily basis. The site was developed by the educational licensing provider Screenrights. Most schools and tertiary institutions will have the required Screenrights licence to make purchases.

ASDAN scheme re-engages disaffected students

Developed in the UK, the ASDAN (Award Scheme Development and Accreditation Network) scheme is yielding positive outcomes for both disengaged and high-achieving students in New Zealand. The curriculum enrichment scheme offers credits and awards for self-management, work and study skills, and problem solving. ASDAN teachers negotiate individual action plans with each student. See A fresh path to success and ASDAN for the high achiever in the New Zealand Education Gazette, July 2006.

Cyber-bullying research in Britain

Britain's Anti-Bullying Alliance has published research suggesting that up to one in five pupils has been bullied via the Internet or mobile phones. The research report describes seven types of cyber-bullying, ranging from abusive text messages, emails and phone calls to bullying in Internet chatrooms, social networking sites and instant messaging. Up to one in five pupils have experienced some form of cyber-bullying, according to the study, which was based on responses from 92 children aged 11–16 from 14 London schools. Girls were significantly more likely to be subjected to cyber-bullying, especially by text message. However, around a third of victims had never told an adult about the problem. See report on BBC News, 25 July 2006.

New security measures proposed in USA

A proposed system for monitoring student performance, where each learner would be tracked via their social security number, has come under question in the USA. Opponents contend the proposed system would be a violation of privacy. Another recent federal proposal to expand wire tapping laws is predicted to have costly implications for the tertiary sector. See article in eSchool News, 18 July 2006 (free registration required).

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