Michael Gove has launched an inquiry into the Daily Telegraph’s accusations about examiners giving too much help to teachers attending their briefings. Anyone who attends these type of events, will soon recognise their primary role is about providing information about the techniques required to gain top marks, rather than improving students understanding of the subject. … Continue reading Dodgy examiners for dodgy exams. But what is our alternative?
Author: Martin Allen
Too many NEETs. The Coalition feels the pressure
The Department for Education has now published it figures for the number of NEETs. (Young people Not in Employment, Education or Training) and a more accurate measurement of youth unemployment. According to the DfE, there are 1.16 million 16-24 NEETs – almost 1 in 5 of all young people. The figures also show over 21% … Continue reading Too many NEETs. The Coalition feels the pressure
Youth unemployment. A lot more than One Million
Now over 1 million (more than 1 in 5); youth unemployment will make headlines this week –yet measuring the extent of joblessness amongst young people is a complex process. To begin with these figures include up to 300,000 full-time students recorded as looking for work, but, as is the case with unemployment statistics generally, they … Continue reading Youth unemployment. A lot more than One Million
Running up a downwards escalator…..
Patrick Ainley and Martin Allen Paper to British Sociology Association Youth Study Group Seminar November 4th Widening participation to higher education has approached New Labour’s target of 50% of 18-30s (for women at least). Presented as a professionalisation of the proletariat, in reality it represents a disguised proletarianisation of the professions – for which HE … Continue reading Running up a downwards escalator…..
Guardian letter 17/10/11 Youth unemployment
Martin Allen The current level of youth unemployment is not only a national disgrace, but also potentially disabling for other areas of society; particularly the education system where young people are taught to play by the rules and work hard to ensure a prosperous future -only to find that their qualifications buy them less and … Continue reading Guardian letter 17/10/11 Youth unemployment
No Country for the Young (edited by Richard Hatcher and Ken Jones)
No Country for the Young. From New Labour to the Coalition Tufnell Press (www.tufnellpress.co.uk) http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_2_10?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field keywords=no+country+for+the+young&sprefix=no+country Download flyer Can the ‘Lost Generation’ find its way? Young people, education and society Martin Allen and Patrick Ainley As recognised by the parents, teachers and school pupils who joined F&H students demonstrating against fee rises and for a … Continue reading No Country for the Young (edited by Richard Hatcher and Ken Jones)
As youth unemployment rises towards 1 million: new challenges for educators
The 80 000 increase in unemployment for the period April to June (taking the total to 2.51 million and 7.9%) intensifies the pressure on a bedraggled Coalition government . Much of this increase is the result of rises in youth unemployment - 20.8% of 16 to 24 year olds (973,000) are officially out of work. … Continue reading As youth unemployment rises towards 1 million: new challenges for educators
A youthful precariat? (part-two)
Martin Allen and Patrick Ainley (https://radicaled.wordpress.com/2011/06/16/a-youthful-precariat/) Last month’s riots have intensified debate about the position of young people in society and the growth of a new urban underclass. For some, particularly Precariat author Guy Standing, the looting of shops and the confrontations with the police are another example of the actions of this new and dangerous … Continue reading A youthful precariat? (part-two)
More on the EBacc
Martin Allen Concern over EBacc continues. Gove’s complaint that just 22% of GCSE stage students were being entered for EBacc requirements in 2010 was rightly ridiculed by National Union of Teacher’s General Secretary Christine Blower who pointed out that the qualification did not exist at that time. A DfE survey however shows 47% of young … Continue reading More on the EBacc
Another rise in A-level pass rates – but no jobs and no uni for thousands of young people
Martin Allen Despite a further increase in A-level pass rates – the 29th year in succession, a lack of jobs and a shortage of university places means prospects continue to be bleak for large numbers of young people. Unemployment for 16-24 year olds is now 949 000 – up from 917 000 last month. In … Continue reading Another rise in A-level pass rates – but no jobs and no uni for thousands of young people
Education, Economy and Society 