Article by the General Secretary, Ann Ballinger published in the Scotsman on Wednesday 11 April 2012 regarding a report on CfE published researchers at Stirling University's School of Education.

Researchers at the University of Stirling have published their research into the implementation of the Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) in Scotland.

Some weeks ago the Cabinet Secretary asked us for evidence of problems with the implementation of CfE. We responded by providing a catalogue of problems. It would appear that he has listened and some action has been taken.

Earlier this month the Cabinet Secretary instructed his officials to undertake a ‘deep audit' of readiness to implement the third year of CfE. The audit was his response to the evidence provided by teachers of the work required to prepare properly for S3 of CfE. This audit is currently underway and members may well have been or will be asked to participate in the evidence gathering exercise.

New Q&A on CfE implementation now published online / Print friendly versions of all CfE factfiles now available.

Four new CfE factfiles were published this week on the LTS main and Parentzone websites.   Topics this time are literacy across learning; numeracy across learning; 3-18 transitions; and outdoor learning.

http://www.LTScotland.org.uk/commstoolkit (under latest resources)

http://www.LTScotland.org.uk/Parentzone (under News)

Colleagues

You may have noted from newspaper reports that the Scottish Government has threatened to remove the Association from the Management Board if we consult members on the implementation of Curriculum for Excellence.

It has also been suggested that at a time of financial difficulties we should be concentrating on protecting salaries and pensions.   I would simply ask what, in a time of recession, could be more important than the education of future generations.  

Executive meets on 1 Oct and Council on 2 Oct when this ultimatum will be debated and a decision made.    

In the meantime I wish to assure you that this Association will always strive to advance secondary education in Scotland, and to safeguard and promote the interests of Scottish secondary teachers in all matters.

Indicative Ballot on Industrial Action but not Strike Action: Closing Date 25 June 2010

• Detailed guidance from the subject excellence groups to enable teachers to plan effective courses.
• Clear information regarding assessment and moderation during the early years of secondary.
• Adequate and relevant assessment materials externally produced where required.
• Clear guidance on the mechanisms and criteria to be used in reporting to parents of pupils in the early years of secondary.
• A full review of the National Qualification proposals, taking into account the views of teachers, parents and employers. The SSTA believes that the current proposal for wholly internal assessment at the new level 4 is divisive and detrimental to the future of those pupils assessed   at Level 4.
• Unambiguous statement that the point at which pupils will begin working towards national qualifications (the middle phase of secondary education) is the start of S3.
• An indefinite delay on the implementation of the profiling proposals.

Subject Working Groups - Have Your Say

Work to develop the new national qualifications, which will support Curriculum for Excellence, is well underway and stakeholders have the opportunity to be directly involved in the qualifications development process.

SQA is setting up Subject Working Groups (SWGs) in subject areas to participate in the development of the products for the new qualifications and is looking for teaching professionals to assist in this work.

SWGs will be established from summer 2010 to carry out discrete pieces of work, for example, the rationale and course summary, Unit specification or Unit support packs for a particular subject area.  They will be directed by the relevant Qualifications Design Teams (QDTs) who are working on the design of qualifications within individual subjects.

If you or your colleagues are interested in helping to develop the next generation of National Qualifications, submit a ‘Register of Interest' form available on the SQA website.