Education, education, education
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So once again in the UK the kids are 4% brighter (okay better marks) than the year before. And once again the PC bullies are out again declaring anyone who even questions the rising levels as 'mean' and 'insensitive' etc. So why are we worried about Ecstacy and Alcopops (and now even HempJuice or whatever) and all other ills of teenage life, when its obviously not harming them, in fact it appears to be increasing their average intelligence.
Stupidity dies. The end of future offspring. Evolution wins. - A Darwin Awards Haiku
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So once again in the UK the kids are 4% brighter (okay better marks) than the year before. And once again the PC bullies are out again declaring anyone who even questions the rising levels as 'mean' and 'insensitive' etc. So why are we worried about Ecstacy and Alcopops (and now even HempJuice or whatever) and all other ills of teenage life, when its obviously not harming them, in fact it appears to be increasing their average intelligence.
Stupidity dies. The end of future offspring. Evolution wins. - A Darwin Awards Haiku
Shaun Wilde wrote: appears to be increasing their average intelligence G. Dubya Bush missed out! Give 'im a can of Alcopops for his sake! Wait a sec... he might choke on it :) Shaun Wilde wrote: are 4% brighter (okay better marks) than the year before Doesn't mean anything. Numbers can be diced any which way. Students getting 4% better marks can be put down to a multitude of factors. Much better to perform a rigourous statistical analysis on the whole thing. That way if you've made a mistake you can atleast be sure of it! bibamus, edamus, cras moriemur
[eat, drink, for tomorrow we die]
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Shaun Wilde wrote: appears to be increasing their average intelligence G. Dubya Bush missed out! Give 'im a can of Alcopops for his sake! Wait a sec... he might choke on it :) Shaun Wilde wrote: are 4% brighter (okay better marks) than the year before Doesn't mean anything. Numbers can be diced any which way. Students getting 4% better marks can be put down to a multitude of factors. Much better to perform a rigourous statistical analysis on the whole thing. That way if you've made a mistake you can atleast be sure of it! bibamus, edamus, cras moriemur
[eat, drink, for tomorrow we die]
One thing I would change about education is to split the subjects so you do fewer at a time e.g. a months English, a months Maths etc. So much time is wasted switching around... With provisions for variety, this would work ;-) Davy www.latedecember.com
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So once again in the UK the kids are 4% brighter (okay better marks) than the year before. And once again the PC bullies are out again declaring anyone who even questions the rising levels as 'mean' and 'insensitive' etc. So why are we worried about Ecstacy and Alcopops (and now even HempJuice or whatever) and all other ills of teenage life, when its obviously not harming them, in fact it appears to be increasing their average intelligence.
Stupidity dies. The end of future offspring. Evolution wins. - A Darwin Awards Haiku
A four percent higher pass rate just shows that schools and colleges are getting better and better and filtering out those candidates that are likely to fail, thus keeping the school's pass rate high.
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A four percent higher pass rate just shows that schools and colleges are getting better and better and filtering out those candidates that are likely to fail, thus keeping the school's pass rate high.
ah I get it - send less to 6th form and then concentrate your resources on them.
Stupidity dies. The end of future offspring. Evolution wins. - A Darwin Awards Haiku
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So once again in the UK the kids are 4% brighter (okay better marks) than the year before. And once again the PC bullies are out again declaring anyone who even questions the rising levels as 'mean' and 'insensitive' etc. So why are we worried about Ecstacy and Alcopops (and now even HempJuice or whatever) and all other ills of teenage life, when its obviously not harming them, in fact it appears to be increasing their average intelligence.
Stupidity dies. The end of future offspring. Evolution wins. - A Darwin Awards Haiku
The better marks are, at least in part, due to dropping standards. Most universities are now having to give students a year of courses to bring them up to university level, because the A-levels don't cover the basics any more. GCSEs are even worse - what used to be an "A" is now an "A*", a "B" is now an "A", etc. :wtf: The government insists that students are getting brighter, despite overwhelming evidence from employers that most school/college leavers can't even spell or add up! :mad: "Where are we going, and why are we in this handbasket?"
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The better marks are, at least in part, due to dropping standards. Most universities are now having to give students a year of courses to bring them up to university level, because the A-levels don't cover the basics any more. GCSEs are even worse - what used to be an "A" is now an "A*", a "B" is now an "A", etc. :wtf: The government insists that students are getting brighter, despite overwhelming evidence from employers that most school/college leavers can't even spell or add up! :mad: "Where are we going, and why are we in this handbasket?"
Richard_D wrote: a year of courses to bring them up to university level That's what happens when u let the loony left... *cough* I meant, the liberals loose on educational policy: comprehensives did nothing for egalitarianism but lots to reduce the competence/skills of students passing through the State system. No wonder those who can afford to send their children to private (or as they are called in the UK, public) schools. bibamus, edamus, cras moriemur
[eat, drink, for tomorrow we die]
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Richard_D wrote: a year of courses to bring them up to university level That's what happens when u let the loony left... *cough* I meant, the liberals loose on educational policy: comprehensives did nothing for egalitarianism but lots to reduce the competence/skills of students passing through the State system. No wonder those who can afford to send their children to private (or as they are called in the UK, public) schools. bibamus, edamus, cras moriemur
[eat, drink, for tomorrow we die]
Did you go to a UK comprehensive Brian? I did and I had a fantastic education! Being a smarter-than-average student, my school bent over backwards to ensure that I wasn't held back by others. For example, I did my Maths O Level a year earlier than most (back in 1986 which seems a long, long time ago). However, A levels are indeed getting easier so the government can make themselves look good which is a tragedy as the students will suffer in the long run - but in this case it has nothing to do with political dogma. Hey, the Conservatives were the ones to scrap 'O' levels (GCE)/CSEs and introduce a generic GCSE qualification - and they're no liberals! At the time it was common knowledge to employers that an A grade GCSE wasn't as good as an A grade GCE. Thankfully I was the last year of GCEs (1987) and as it took a few years for the standing of GCSEs to increase in the eyes of employers, I consider myself lucky. It is a lottery however - there are poor state schools and there are poor private schools. Private schools are better funded so can afford to have smaller class sizes, better equipment, etc. which is an obvious advantage. This government promised "Education, education, education". Ha!
Faith. Believing in something you *know* isn't true.
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Did you go to a UK comprehensive Brian? I did and I had a fantastic education! Being a smarter-than-average student, my school bent over backwards to ensure that I wasn't held back by others. For example, I did my Maths O Level a year earlier than most (back in 1986 which seems a long, long time ago). However, A levels are indeed getting easier so the government can make themselves look good which is a tragedy as the students will suffer in the long run - but in this case it has nothing to do with political dogma. Hey, the Conservatives were the ones to scrap 'O' levels (GCE)/CSEs and introduce a generic GCSE qualification - and they're no liberals! At the time it was common knowledge to employers that an A grade GCSE wasn't as good as an A grade GCE. Thankfully I was the last year of GCEs (1987) and as it took a few years for the standing of GCSEs to increase in the eyes of employers, I consider myself lucky. It is a lottery however - there are poor state schools and there are poor private schools. Private schools are better funded so can afford to have smaller class sizes, better equipment, etc. which is an obvious advantage. This government promised "Education, education, education". Ha!
Faith. Believing in something you *know* isn't true.
Robert Edward Caldecott wrote: Did you go to a UK comprehensive Brian? I was not lucky enough to get the privilege! :) But I've been to both State as well a private schools. Robert Edward Caldecott wrote: I had a fantastic education! Being a smarter-than-average student, my school bent over backwards to ensure that I wasn't held back by others I did not say all comps are bad. Just most of them. Robert Edward Caldecott wrote: A levels are indeed getting easier so the government can make themselves look good Truly a tragedy. Also explains why Blair et al send their kids to private schools. Robert Edward Caldecott wrote: the Conservatives were the ones to scrap 'O' levels (GCE)/CSEs and introduce a generic GCSE qualification The education lobby is pretty powerful, especially the teachers' union. Although I do wonder how Thatcher let that through. Robert Edward Caldecott wrote: they're no liberals Shurely you're joking!?! Thatcher had her Wets. Major was a softy. And with people like Portillo/Oliver Letwin doing the rounds the Tories have become all bleeding heart. Did you see a recent cover of the Spectator? It showed IDS trying to catch a group of minorities. If they wanna become more relevant to the voters they'd better try something more sensible although I fear it is too late now. (Removing IDS would be a good start) Robert Edward Caldecott wrote: government promised "Education, education, education They promised the same with health. Their solution is to throw money at the problem. Very silly. A fundamental restructuring would be a better idea but I'd _love_ to see anyone attempting such a thing!! bibamus, edamus, cras moriemur
[eat, drink, for tomorrow we die]
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Robert Edward Caldecott wrote: Did you go to a UK comprehensive Brian? I was not lucky enough to get the privilege! :) But I've been to both State as well a private schools. Robert Edward Caldecott wrote: I had a fantastic education! Being a smarter-than-average student, my school bent over backwards to ensure that I wasn't held back by others I did not say all comps are bad. Just most of them. Robert Edward Caldecott wrote: A levels are indeed getting easier so the government can make themselves look good Truly a tragedy. Also explains why Blair et al send their kids to private schools. Robert Edward Caldecott wrote: the Conservatives were the ones to scrap 'O' levels (GCE)/CSEs and introduce a generic GCSE qualification The education lobby is pretty powerful, especially the teachers' union. Although I do wonder how Thatcher let that through. Robert Edward Caldecott wrote: they're no liberals Shurely you're joking!?! Thatcher had her Wets. Major was a softy. And with people like Portillo/Oliver Letwin doing the rounds the Tories have become all bleeding heart. Did you see a recent cover of the Spectator? It showed IDS trying to catch a group of minorities. If they wanna become more relevant to the voters they'd better try something more sensible although I fear it is too late now. (Removing IDS would be a good start) Robert Edward Caldecott wrote: government promised "Education, education, education They promised the same with health. Their solution is to throw money at the problem. Very silly. A fundamental restructuring would be a better idea but I'd _love_ to see anyone attempting such a thing!! bibamus, edamus, cras moriemur
[eat, drink, for tomorrow we die]
Brian Azzopardi wrote: I did not say all comps are bad. Just most of them. I don't think so Brian. However, the real tragedy is that if you can afford it, you can probably get a better education for your kids. I think that every child in the country is entitled to a decent education, regardless of how much money their parents earn. Brian Azzopardi wrote: Truly a tragedy. Also explains why Blair et al send their kids to private schools. Indeed. Disgusting really, considering their Labour roots. Who'd have thought it? New Labour are, if anything, more conservative than the previous Tory government! Vive El Presidente Blair! Brian Azzopardi wrote: Although I do wonder how Thatcher let that through. Well, the Thatcher goverment cannot be described as liberal in any sense of the word ("there is no such thing as society"). And, at the time, the teaching unions were dead set against GCSEs, so it was an amazing turn of events to be honest! Brian Azzopardi wrote: If they wanna become more relevant to the voters they'd better try something more sensible although I fear it is too late now. Correct - it IS too late. They've blown it already. I am no fan of the Tory party, but a government without an effective opposition is no better than a one-party state. While Blair cruises around playing President, slowly losing touch with reality, what do the Tories do? Sit around arguing the toss about what their MPs get up to in bed. Farcical really. Sexuality, race, gender, etc. is a total non-issue - I couldn't care less what my local MP gets up to in his spare time (as long as it's legal!) - the Tories are trying too hard to appear inclusive. And, IDS ... well - he's William Hagues dad isn't he? Ken Clarke would have had this government on the ropes had he of been elected leader - but, yet again, the Europe issue has kicked the Tories in the balls. Most people couldn't give a monkeys bright-red backside about Europe/The Euro - they want decent public services, less crime, better schools, etc. The UK will never adopt the Euro IMHO - Blair won't dare take it to the public, despite what you may read in the press - he will never win a Euro referendum whilst Rupert Murdoch is in Fleet Street (as, sadly, most people will vote how their newspaper tells them). Hence, the Euro isn't an issue! I could bang on all day about this, but you get the picture. I foresee a record low turnout in
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The better marks are, at least in part, due to dropping standards. Most universities are now having to give students a year of courses to bring them up to university level, because the A-levels don't cover the basics any more. GCSEs are even worse - what used to be an "A" is now an "A*", a "B" is now an "A", etc. :wtf: The government insists that students are getting brighter, despite overwhelming evidence from employers that most school/college leavers can't even spell or add up! :mad: "Where are we going, and why are we in this handbasket?"
Richard_D wrote: The better marks are, at least in part, due to dropping standards. The US has tried this, too. I recently discovered that the SAT test I took in high school is not the same test the kids are taking today, and when asked for my score I have to specify the year. Scores on the older test are worth about 200 points more than the same value today. Lowering the standards is unacceptable, but it's more politically expedient than fixing the schools. It seems that parents were upset that their kids couldn't get into college, so the gov't lowered the bar to let more in without lowering the numerical score required for entrance. What a sham!!! No wonder we have so much trouble competing in the free market - our kids are handicapped from the start. Here in Arizona we've tried to reverse the trend by requiring that students pass a test as a requirement for graduation. But each year the deadline for making it a requirement is extended - it's now out to 2006. The reason for the extension is not only that the students can't pass the thing, neither can the teachers! That's not entirely surprising, as the teachers got into college by passing the dumb version of the SAT, but I would have hoped that college would have improved their skills. Silly, optimistic me... A New Adjective Is Born!
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Shaun Wilde wrote: appears to be increasing their average intelligence G. Dubya Bush missed out! Give 'im a can of Alcopops for his sake! Wait a sec... he might choke on it :) Shaun Wilde wrote: are 4% brighter (okay better marks) than the year before Doesn't mean anything. Numbers can be diced any which way. Students getting 4% better marks can be put down to a multitude of factors. Much better to perform a rigourous statistical analysis on the whole thing. That way if you've made a mistake you can atleast be sure of it! bibamus, edamus, cras moriemur
[eat, drink, for tomorrow we die]
And of course the most obvious reason that the marks are up is that the tests are dumbed down. Richard There are lies, damn lies, and statictics. Between believing a thing and thinking you know is only a small step and quickly taken. Mark Twain- 3,000 Years Among the Microbes
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So once again in the UK the kids are 4% brighter (okay better marks) than the year before. And once again the PC bullies are out again declaring anyone who even questions the rising levels as 'mean' and 'insensitive' etc. So why are we worried about Ecstacy and Alcopops (and now even HempJuice or whatever) and all other ills of teenage life, when its obviously not harming them, in fact it appears to be increasing their average intelligence.
Stupidity dies. The end of future offspring. Evolution wins. - A Darwin Awards Haiku
It's difficult to make the connection between "rising marks" = "smarter". Maybe (as someone else pointed out) they just giving higer marks in general. For example, work that would get you a "C" twenty years ago might get you a "B" today. As far as Ecstacy goes, I don't think it hurts intelligence. Rather, it causes emotional distrubances, like being locked into depressive states. ------------------------------------------ When I was a kid, I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realized that the Lord, in his wisdom, didn't work that way. So I just stole one and asked him to forgive me. - Emo Phillips
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It's difficult to make the connection between "rising marks" = "smarter". Maybe (as someone else pointed out) they just giving higer marks in general. For example, work that would get you a "C" twenty years ago might get you a "B" today. As far as Ecstacy goes, I don't think it hurts intelligence. Rather, it causes emotional distrubances, like being locked into depressive states. ------------------------------------------ When I was a kid, I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realized that the Lord, in his wisdom, didn't work that way. So I just stole one and asked him to forgive me. - Emo Phillips
I give up - sarcasm is lost - anybody got a map?
Stupidity dies. The end of future offspring. Evolution wins. - A Darwin Awards Haiku
