charter schools

Page 1 of 3123
Avatar Image

Janet Downs: Government spin re academies is not supported by DfE report. Is this why the report has not been publicised?

The recent Department for Education (DfE) report into the effectiveness of the City Challenge programme found it was difficult to isolate factors which lead to school improvement. But the Government insist that the only way to improve school results is academy conversion, by force or intimidation if necessary. But the Evaluation of the City Challenge Programme said: “More radical approaches to ... read more and comment →

15 comments

Latest comment by William: "'The main question is: does the Swedish experience show that for-profit schools – and choice in general – have a deleterious impact on education? The short answer is no, and here is why. Firstly, Courtney cites Sweden’s PISA record, which is ......"

Comment + Debate
Avatar Image

Janet Downs: How much more misleading data will Gove and the DfE publish?

Time and again the Local Schools Network has exposed misrepresentation by Secretary of State, Michael Gove, and the Department for Education. Here are ten examples: 1 Academies perform better than other schools – not true. 2 Converter academies drive up standards – evidence doesn’t exist. 3 Maths standards have fallen over 30 years – Gove misled Commons. 4 Standard of food in academies is ... read more and comment →

8 comments

Latest comment by Janet Downs: "I wonder if the West London Free School will link to the Spectator article on their website. There are usually links to Young's articles, blogs and so on and the website's doing a splendid job in promoting his book ......"

Comment + Debate
Avatar Image

Allan Beavis: Michael Gove welcomes Michelle Rhee, one of America’s most controversial, infamous and questionable school reformers into British school

Michael Gove, in his Spectator speech the other day, said that he had been eager to find out more about educational transformation in other countries including Sweden, Finland, Singapore, Shanghai (not a country, but never mind) Florida and Michelle Rhee's Washington DC. I don’t know whether he has ever invited Finland’s Pasi Sahlberg over to introduce the Finnish model as ... read more and comment →

15 comments

Latest comment by roslyn: "As a parent I cant believe Michael Goves judgement. Scary. Is he bored of Katherine Birbalsingh or something?..."

Comment + Debate
Avatar Image

Allan Beavis: Gove admits Tory government could move towards full profit-making from state schools at the Leveson Inquiry

During questioning at the Leveson Inquiry today, Michael Gove gave the strongest indication yet that a Tory government would let schools be run for profit. It is unclear whether this has not yet been rolled out because public opinion is opposed to it, as shown by this Populus poll or whether Nick Clegg had inconveniently broken ranks and reassured ... read more and comment →

7 comments

Latest comment by tim bidie: "In every walk of life there are commercial organisations doing untold good, whilst making profits that are reinvested to improve service. Why should schools be any different?..."

Comment + Debate
Avatar Image

Janet Downs: What makes a successful school? Harvard research identifies 5 factors

There are five factors found in successful schools, according to a recent Harvard report. These are: frequent teacher feedback, data driven instruction, high-dosage tutoring, increased instructional time, and a focus on academic achievement. The researchers found that a school’s underlying philosophy mattered less than these five factors. The more successful schools gave pointers to pupils more frequently, used assessment to plan ... read more and comment →

2 comments

Latest comment by Rosie Fergusson: "Another successful factor is manipulation of the catchment area so outstandingly demonstrated by Bristol Free School For Nobs current admissions consultation. Link http://www.bristolfreeschool.org.uk/consultation.php The school has defined a catchment area avoiding the undesirable area and taking in the more salubrious ......"

Comment + Debate
Avatar Image

Ian Taylor: How Finland Really Can Help Us Improve Our Education System

How Finland Really Can Help Us Improve Our Education System A lot of Mr Gove’s education policy seems to come from examples of education systems in other countries. These examples are chosen because their school systems are producing better “results” than ours. Finland receives hundreds of visits a year from the world’s educationalists, who are all trying to find the secret ... read more and comment →

6 comments

Latest comment by Tom Arnold: "I think Finland model will help only if the political system has the heart to change...."

Comment + Debate
Avatar Image

Allan Beavis: Edison Learning has been steeped in allegations of corruption, malpractice and failure. Why is its influence in Britain’s state schools increasing?

Edison Learning, a major American-owned for-profit education business, has been given approved status by the Department for Education. In the US, Edison Learning has been in the business of managing schools in the state system, independent charter schools and online "virtual" charter schools. Here in Britain, its UK arm has been active since 2007, as highlighted here by Janet Downs. Tim Nash, ... read more and comment →

3 comments

Latest comment by Rebecca Hanson: "Thanks for that clarification Allan, I have the same problem near the bottom of that thread! The comment before mine was not visible when I wrote mine - I was agreeing with Janet but it looks otherwise. Oh well......."

Comment + Debate
Avatar Image

Melissa Benn: Why are we following the US into a schools policy disaster?

It is amazing how quickly you can discourage a nation. Just 18 months ago, Michael Gove kicked off his controversial tenure at the Department for Education with apparently definitive claims, backed by international test evidence, of UK state school failure and the need for a radical new approach. Last year, Sweden was the model for reform. The government barely mentions Sweden ... read more and comment →

80 comments

Latest comment by Ben Taylor: "Come on Jake you are a Met stooge aren't you? Let's get it out in the open now so the Fabians don't just get off when the CPS screws up their day in court...."

Comment + Debate
Avatar Image

Allan Beavis: Can the New Schools Network explain how the NYC Charter model is transferrable to Free Schools without the billions of dollars from philanthropists?

The New Schools Network describes itself as an independent charity and its website gives the impression that the organization gives impartial advice to anyone wishing to set up a Free School. But it is difficult to see the Network as anything more than a Conservative party-driven lobbying organisation specifically set up to promote the supposed benefits of Free Schools. It ... read more and comment →

2 comments

Latest comment by Janet Downs: "NSN has been awarded further grants of £400,000 for 20011/12 and a maximum of £650,000 for 2012/13. That’s a top figure of £1,550,000. The DfE says the award of a contract to NSN was the result of ......"

Comment + Debate
Avatar Image

Allan Beavis: The New Schools Network is using unreliable and flawed research from America to persuade Free School advocators that Charter Schools are a success.

Earlier this year, Michael Gove addressed hundreds of teachers, charities and parents at the first ever Free Schools conference, where his fellow speakers included US Charter school experts Mike Feinberg, CEO of Knowledge Is Power Program (KIPP), one of America’s most high profile charter school chains and Joel Klein, the former Chancellor of New York City Schools and now CEO ... read more and comment →

35 comments

Latest comment by JimC: "Ah a call for transparency from Allan. Spot on. Care to oblige us Mr Young? Are the documents available on your website? Shame on you if they aren't. PS I read about your new school the other day and I ......"

Comment + Debate
Page 1 of 3123