It is safe to predict that education will remain high on the political agenda in the run-up to the 2026 Holyrood elections. In recent years, many aspects of educational provision have attracted criticism and all parties will be anxious to claim that their policy proposals will lead to improvements. Among the topics that have featured in hostile press reports are these:the … [Read more...] about Scottish education: genuine partnership or pre-election fix?
Lost opportunities in Scottish education 2: lack of leadership
.Are politicians, administrators and senior professionals capable of demonstrating the boldness that is required?The latest PISA figures are disappointing, but not surprising. They confirm a trend that has been apparent for some time. Predictably, they have led to polarised responses by defenders and critics of Curriculum for Excellence, the flagship policy of Scottish … [Read more...] about Lost opportunities in Scottish education 2: lack of leadership
Prophets without honour in their own land
While there is much to celebrate in Scotland’s educational history, the country has not been generous in its treatment of educational innovators. Indeed, some have been driven south of the border in order to put their ideas into practice. Both Margaret McMillan (1860-1931) and A. S. Neill (1883-1973) received their schooling in Scotland, but found the Calvinist tradition … [Read more...] about Prophets without honour in their own land
Education: no more business as usual
Amidst all the political drama in the run-up to the Holyrood elections – a new party, personal rivalries, defections, allegations and counter-allegations – the substantive issues facing Scotland risk being neglected. Whatever the outcome of the vote, education will remain one of the most crucial policy areas and the person appointed as Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills … [Read more...] about Education: no more business as usual
Two attainment gaps in Scottish education
The handling of this year’s examinations by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) caused widespread disappointment and provoked considerable anger among pupils, parents and teachers. Although awards will now be based on teachers’ estimates (rather than on the computer modelling which had downgraded many results), the episode should not be seen simply as an ill-judged … [Read more...] about Two attainment gaps in Scottish education