Listen here: Radio NZ
How badly will staffing cuts affect technology in your school?
Friday, May 25, 2012
Technology Staff Cuts on the Horizon
Intermediate schools angry at technology staff cuts: Anger is growing among intermediate schools and others with children in years seven and eight over big cuts to staffing for technology teachers.
Listen here: Radio NZ
Listen here: Radio NZ
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Will we wave goodbye to technology teachers?
Technology music and art 'on the way out' | Voxy.co.nz
Will these subjects survive in your school? If so, how?
Will these subjects survive in your school? If so, how?
Will your school become non-viable?
Budget “King Hit” On State Secondary Schools | Scoop News
The 2012 Budget has delivered a king hit on state secondary schools, parents, teachers and students, PPTA president Robin Duff says.
The 2012 Budget has delivered a king hit on state secondary schools, parents, teachers and students, PPTA president Robin Duff says.
How might the budget changes affect your school?
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Is bullying a big problem in your school?
Editorial comment May 22, 2012
In almost every group of people, at work, at school and in social situations, there are natural leaders, and unfortunately those who try to dominate others by abuse and fear.\
In almost every group of people, at work, at school and in social situations, there are natural leaders, and unfortunately those who try to dominate others by abuse and fear.\
Is bullying a problem in your school?
How long have staffing cuts been on the table?
Teacher Freeze on Books Since 2009 – PPTA | Scoop News
Evidence has come to light that frontline teacher staffing cuts have been in the government’s sights since 2009 – making a mockery of claims they are all about investing in quality teaching.
Evidence has come to light that frontline teacher staffing cuts have been in the government’s sights since 2009 – making a mockery of claims they are all about investing in quality teaching.
If the shoe fits...
Are your classes already too large?
Student-teacher ratios | Otago Daily Times Online News : Otago, South Island, New Zealand & International News
The government's decision to alter the student-teacher ratios (for a net loss of teachers) is flawed.
Are you already teaching large classes of over 30 students?
Is good teaching too hard to measure?
Joe Bennett | Good Teaching is Hard To Measure | Stuff.co.nz
Excerpt: Good teaching, then, is easy to recognise. But it is hard to measure. Exam results are important, but they are not the whole of education. And if you judged a teacher solely by exam results, then they would teach solely to the exams. Which would squeeze out the good stuff, the real stuff, the stuff that just happens. And that's often the stuff that sings home like a well-fired arrow.
Can good teaching be measured?
Excerpt: Good teaching, then, is easy to recognise. But it is hard to measure. Exam results are important, but they are not the whole of education. And if you judged a teacher solely by exam results, then they would teach solely to the exams. Which would squeeze out the good stuff, the real stuff, the stuff that just happens. And that's often the stuff that sings home like a well-fired arrow.
Can good teaching be measured?
Have you seen kids scavenging for food?
Editorial: Our kids deserve the best start | Rotorua Opinion | Local Voices from Rotorua, New Zealand
International charities have warned world leaders at the G8 summit that their failure to keep previous promises is tipping poor countries into famine. While our country may never be in the grip of a nationwide famine, the number of families in poverty in New Zealand is certainly growing and it is our schools stepping up to take action.
International charities have warned world leaders at the G8 summit that their failure to keep previous promises is tipping poor countries into famine. While our country may never be in the grip of a nationwide famine, the number of families in poverty in New Zealand is certainly growing and it is our schools stepping up to take action.
How is poverty affecting your school?
Are middle schools needed in Christchurch?
Education Renewal in Christchurch: Need For Middle... | Stuff.co.nz
Christchurch's intermediate school principals want middle schools established as part of the city's new-look education sector.
Do you teach in a middle/intermediate school? What's your opinion about middle schools/junior high schools?
Will freezing teacher staffing numbers improve achievement?
Hekia Parata announces teacher staffing numbers to be frozen
Hekia Parata, Minister of Education, announced in Parliament that teacher numbers will not increase as school rolls increase. The Minister's response suggests that freezing teacher numbers is the government response to inadequate performance of teachers in raising student achievement.
Should teacher staffing numbers be frozen to focus on improving achievement?
Hekia Parata, Minister of Education, announced in Parliament that teacher numbers will not increase as school rolls increase. The Minister's response suggests that freezing teacher numbers is the government response to inadequate performance of teachers in raising student achievement.
Should teacher staffing numbers be frozen to focus on improving achievement?
Monday, May 21, 2012
South Auckland meeting sparks fury over charter school idea
South Auckland meeting sparks fury over charter school idea: Some South Auckland residents are furious a charter school could be trialled in their community, saying it is not wanted or needed.
Listen to the RadioNZ report
How would you react to the introduction of charter schools in your area?
Listen to the RadioNZ report
How would you react to the introduction of charter schools in your area?
Shared sacrifice falls unevenly
Why does it always cost the lower socio-economic groups more?
Tapu Misa: Shared sacrifice falls unevenly - Business - NZ Herald News
Excerpt:
Remember when we traded off community education for private school funding? Now we're trading "quantity", according to Education Minister Hekia Parata - thousands of teachers, it's claimed by teacher groups - for the more nebulous "quality".
Tapu Misa: Shared sacrifice falls unevenly - Business - NZ Herald News
Excerpt:
Remember when we traded off community education for private school funding? Now we're trading "quantity", according to Education Minister Hekia Parata - thousands of teachers, it's claimed by teacher groups - for the more nebulous "quality".
Watch Out for Unintended Consequences
Beware the law of unintended consequences – Editorial – Commentary – New Zealand Listener
Excerpt:
This week’s Budget includes a decision to put teachers’ performance pay squarely on the to-do list, with the trade-off of higher classroom numbers. It’s a courageous move – and a tough political sales job. Already there have been howls of outrage. Green MP Catherine Delahunty says the policy puts the blame for poor performance on teachers, and Labour’s Nanaia Mahuta says it will erode the culture of collaboration and trust in our schools. Actually, the policy’s aim is to celebrate and reward teachers for their excellent work and encourage more of it. As for school culture, there is nothing positive about glossing over the fact that some poor and mediocre teachers do impede children’s learning. Ask any student.
Do you agree?
Excerpt:
This week’s Budget includes a decision to put teachers’ performance pay squarely on the to-do list, with the trade-off of higher classroom numbers. It’s a courageous move – and a tough political sales job. Already there have been howls of outrage. Green MP Catherine Delahunty says the policy puts the blame for poor performance on teachers, and Labour’s Nanaia Mahuta says it will erode the culture of collaboration and trust in our schools. Actually, the policy’s aim is to celebrate and reward teachers for their excellent work and encourage more of it. As for school culture, there is nothing positive about glossing over the fact that some poor and mediocre teachers do impede children’s learning. Ask any student.
Do you agree?
Parents want tough discipline
Parents want tough discipline | Stuff.co.nz
Increasing numbers of fed-up parents want schools to get tough on discipline. Do you agree?
Increasing numbers of fed-up parents want schools to get tough on discipline. Do you agree?
South Auckland may not trial charter schools
South Auckland may not trial charter schools | Voxy.co.nz
Where do you stand on the issue of introducing charter schools in NZ?
Where do you stand on the issue of introducing charter schools in NZ?
Performance Pay Discussed on The Nation
The Nation: Sunday, May 20, 2012 - The Nation - news/current affairs - On Demand - TV3
PPTA President Robin Duff speaks at 17:00. Do you agree with his views on performance pay for teachers?
PPTA President Robin Duff speaks at 17:00. Do you agree with his views on performance pay for teachers?
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