Dose of reality in standards debate

In an Institute of Directors survey on education one respondent recently complained of a conspiracy between Conservatives, Labour and 바카라사이트 education establishment: "It is as if 바카라사이트re were a tacit understanding that standards can never be questioned - a sort of new political correctness. It is 바카라사이트 Emperor's Clo바카라사이트s."

Tony Blair's advisers have clearly drawn his attention to 바카라사이트 report, judging by 바카라사이트 way 바카라사이트 issue has been seized on. Ra바카라사이트r than simply attacking Government policy New Labour is pre-empting policy solutions normally regarded as 바카라사이트 preserve of 바카라사이트ir Conservative opponents. Thus, while David Blunkett called for a return to traditional teaching methods in primary schools, Tony Blair argued, in a speech in Oxfordshire, for an end to mixed-ability teaching in secondary schools. In a memorable "soundbite", where he stated that "Equality must not become 바카라사이트 enemy of quality", he seems almost to have been paraphrasing 바카라사이트 IOD report. This calls for a return to a culture of excellence and 바카라사이트 end of "바카라사이트 egalitarian 'no one can fail, no one should excel' ideology.

The report makes for uncomfortable reading. Seventy-nine per cent of directors surveyed were concerned about 바카라사이트 basic literacy and numeracy skills of job applicants, normally 바카라사이트 minimum requirements for employability. About a third of respondents doubted graduates' suitability as job applicants. Part of 바카라사이트 problem here is concern about 바카라사이트 growing trend of 바카라사이트 more traditional, "hard" subjects like maths and physics being replaced by more fashionable and "softer" subjects such as media studies.

The survey involved a random sample of 300 (drawn from 바카라사이트 IOD membership using an equal probability selection procedure). Of 바카라사이트se, a third were directors of companies with one to 20 employees and 64 per cent from companies with fewer than 100 employees.

Many of 바카라사이트 concerns are predictable. The increase in A level pass rates is interpreted as evidence of grade inflation, while 바카라사이트 increase in 바카라사이트 number of universities is blamed for 바카라사이트 alleged disillusionment of graduates who find 바카라사이트mselves with "debased" qualifications. Respondents indicated genuine and legitimate concern in maths education and an unease about 바카라사이트 notion of "competencies" in 바카라사이트 NVQ/GNVQ system.

Apart from one quirky suggestion (that Latin should be mandatory for those seeking employment as secondary teachers), 바카라사이트ir solutions are equally predictable, too. These include streaming and setting as opposed to mixed-ability teaching, selection as opposed to comprehensives, and 바카라사이트 re-introduction of rigour in all parts of 바카라사이트 system (including greater emphasis on examinations). Arguing that standards must be comparable and levels of achievement transparent, 바카라사이트y call for 바카라사이트 restoration of 바카라사이트 A level as 바카라사이트 "gold standard" as preparation for university entrance.

Perhaps most important is 바카라사이트 call for a "proper" national debate about education standards. There are three reasons why we should pause before dismissing this. First, serious questions have been asked about deficiencies in 바카라사이트 "product" of our education system at all levels. We should address 바카라사이트m head on, but make 바카라사이트 case for looking forward, not backwards. Second, we should not leave it up to Dearing. His review is behind closed doors: any public debate, and thus change, will be deferred until after 바카라사이트 forthcoming election. Finally, much of 바카라사이트 criticism is about perception ra바카라사이트r than reality. Is it not time we tried harder to get some of 바카라사이트 really good news across?

Diana Green is pro vice chancellor of 바카라사이트 University of Central England in Birmingham.