Archive for September, 2007
Should We Have Any Faith in the System? The Case for Having More and Less
Posted by Nick Cowen in Social Cohesion on 11/09/2007
No society can flourish in the absence of its enjoying a considerable degree of cohesion among its members.
In determining how much cohesion a society enjoys, few factors play a more decisive role than do the policies it adopts towards two decisive matters. These are immigration and education.
continued on the Centre for Social Cohesion blog.
Foreign Policy Fears: the ‘special relationship’ versus strength in numbers
Posted by Robert Whelan in European Union on 10/09/2007
Throughout the half-century that Britain has been debating further integration into Europe, our association with America has proved a crucial point of debate. With the history of this ‘special relationship’ spanning back decades and indeed predating even the earliest roots of the EU, many commentators have been reluctant to see closeness between British Prime Ministers and the US Presidency threatened by ever-closer union with Europe. However, certain international crises that have emerged in recent decades have led many to question the prudence of too-close alliance with our American peers, writes Pippa Knott.
Media Information: Read All About It
Posted by Nick Cowen in Education on 05/09/2007
Weak reading lies at the heart of the educational apartheid between the advantaged and disadvantaged, and England’s low social mobility. The inability to read properly is the single greatest handicap to progress both in school and adult life.
As of this week, all children in primary schools will be taught to read using ‘first and fast’ synthetic phonics. This means that children’s first experience in school of learning to read will be to learn 44 letter sounds which they will be taught to blend together – or ’synthesise’ – to form words.
Background: despite additional billions invested in education, a significant achievement gap between rich and poor persists. [p2] At the heart of this lie poor reading skills:
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Original ‘flagship’ National Literacy Strategy has failed to drive up reading standards
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Government policy was based on flawed methods touted for decades by ‘trendy’ academics
This government’s move to systematic synthetic phonics in the classroom brings new hope that children of all backgrounds will be taught to read properly, according to a report by the independent think-tank Civitas.
Seal Not of My Approval
Posted by Nick Cowen in Social Cohesion on 04/09/2007
There is a bizarre story in today’s Times. Apparently, Education Secretary Ed Balls will announce today that all secondary schools must include compulsory lessons in ‘happiness, well-being and good manners’.
They are being introduced reportedly on the basis of the apparent improvement in behaviour and academic performance of primary pupils who had received such lessons as part of an extensive pilot programme named ‘Seal’ which stands for ‘Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning’.
continued on the Centre for Social Cohesion blog.