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The bottom up approach to improving schools

(4 Posts)
Bags Tue 26-Jun-12 08:46:09

Michelle Rhee of Students First in the US has written an interesting article about the need to put children's needs first when it come to improving schooling: she calls it "How to improve schools the American way"

Hunt Tue 26-Jun-12 09:34:16

Concentrate on teaching children to read. You can't progress with any other learning until you can read. Reading opens the door to everything else. Think about it.

Mamie Tue 26-Jun-12 09:47:06

I think it is interesting, but it doesn't perhaps reflect how much has been done in the UK to support teachers in improving the quality of teaching. I think if the real problem is the gap in achievement between rich and poor (broadly speaking) then maybe you have to look outside schools for solutions. I also think that attitudes to schools, based largely on the tabloid press, are very damaging to the morale of teachers.

nanaej Tue 26-Jun-12 10:23:02

hunt I fully agree reading is key to opening opportunities to other learning and needs to be a priority but there are many other important skills needed too. A child with poor language skills, poor social skills etc won't be able to use the reading well enough to learn other things!