Though published just before Christmas, it’s still rather alarming that the ‘expert’ report on the National Curriculum passed almost unnoticed. Michael Gove has announced no changes will begin until 2014 so as to ‘allow for further debate with everyone interested in creating a genuinely world-class education system’. Having said this though, the report’s proposals … Continue reading Curriculum Wars? A brief comment on new National Curriculum proposals
All NEETs now? A comment on the Coalition’s ‘Building Engagement, Building Futures’.
Stung by alarming rates of youth unemployment, the number of NEETs and still on the back foot over last summer’s riots; the Coalition government has published a ‘strategy’ document aimed at increasing participation rates of 16-24 year olds in education, training and employment. Building Engagement, Building Futures contains few surprises. It reiterates government rhetoric that … Continue reading All NEETs now? A comment on the Coalition’s ‘Building Engagement, Building Futures’.
Two Manifestos for the fight against fees
Book reviews for Post-16 Educator by Patrick Ainley 'A Manifesto for the Public University’ John Holmwood (ed.) (2011) London Bloomsbury ‘The Assault on Universities, A Manifesto for Resistance' Michael Bailey and Des Freedman (eds) (2011) London, Pluto Where are we? As Andrew McGettigan asked on his Critical Education blog at the end of 2011, noting ' the government’s strategy … Continue reading Two Manifestos for the fight against fees
Book Review: Remaking the Curriculum; re-engaging young people in the secondary school
Martin Allen Education Review Volume 24. N0 1 Remaking the Curriculum; re-engaging young people in the secondary school. Martin Fautley, Richard Hatcher and Elaine Millard. Trentham Books 2011, ISBN: 978-1-85856-471-5 The very title of this book should be enough to entice secondary practitioners stuck in a daily grind; where teaching has become focussed on preparing for the … Continue reading Book Review: Remaking the Curriculum; re-engaging young people in the secondary school
Casino economy no use to the jobless
ONS figures for Aug-Oct 2011 Unemployment is 2.64 million (8.3%) up 128 000, the highest since 1994 • Youth unemployment (including 300 000 students looking for part-time work) is 1,027,000, up 54,000 on the quarter at 22% (14% of the youth population) Youth unemployment (for those not in full-time education) is 17% - up 21 000 … Continue reading Casino economy no use to the jobless
Dodgy examiners for dodgy exams. But what is our alternative?
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?
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
Education, Economy and Society 