Direct Education Scheduler
Michael Gove launches attack on anti-academy teachers and councillors
Michael Gove, who described those opposed to academies as ‘ideologues happy with failure’. Chris Ison/PA
The education secretary, Michael Gove, has risked infuriating thousands of teachers and councillors by describing those opposed to academies as “ideologues happy with failure”.
In his sharpest attack yet on those against academies – one of the coalition’s flagship education reforms – Gove warned that he would plough on with the programme regardless of critics.
“Change is coming. And to those who want to get in the way, I have just two words: hands off,” he said in a speech at Haberdashers’ Aske’s Hatcham College, an academy in south-east London.
Gove said he was frustrated by some “obstructive” local authorities and areas, such as Haringey in north London, where he said he had been asked “not to challenge the leadership of the lowest performing schools”.
“For years hundreds of children have grown up effectively illiterate and innumerate ,” he said. “In
Survey: Residents outside of IPS want big changes, too
That was a somewhat surprising take-away from a survey unveiled today on attitudes about education — and especially IPS.
The survey was commissioned by Stand for Children, the local affiliate of a national group that advocates for school reform.
MORE COVERAGE: PDF: Stand for Children Marion County results summary. MORE COVERAGE: PDF: Presentation of Stand for Children Marion County results.
a difference that was within the survey’s margin of error.
“That is surprising,” said David Dresslar, executive director of the Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning at the University of Indianapolis. “This either means there is a general level of dissatisfaction that pervades IPS and township districts, or that the level of dissatisfaction in IPS isn’t as great as was anticipated.”
Karega Rausch, the Indianapolis director of Stand for Children, thinks it’s the former.
“We all have work to do, at least that’s what we’re hearing from the voices of our residents in the county,” Rausch said.
‘Compromised’ GCSE paper is withdrawn
Examiners shared “inappropriate” information about a GCSE paper due to be taken by pupils in January, the exams regulator warned today.
Ofqual said an information and communications technology (ICT) paper set by the WJEC exam board had been compromised, and will be withdrawn to protect the “integrity and security” of the qualification.
The finding was included in an urgent report ordered by ministers earlier this month in the wake of allegations that examiners had been secretly advising teachers on how to boost GCSE and A-level results.
In its report, published today, Ofqual said the ICT paper will be amended and sat at a later date.
The move will not impact on when students will be able to complete their GCSE course in the subject.
Three examiners, two from WJEC, the Welsh exam board, and one from Edexcel, were suspended as inquiries began earlier this month into claims that teachers were given unfair advice and told that one exam board set easier tests.
The allegations, made in the Daily Telegraph, centred on teachers being given detailed advice at exams seminars on forthcoming exam questions and how students could score higher marks.
Education Secretary Michael Gove ordered Ofqual to look into the claims and report back by Christmas.
The regulator’s report found that, at a WJEC seminar on part of a GCSE ICT course, attendees were told which topics pupils would be assessed on.
“This is in clear breach of regulatory requirements, and it compromises the planned exam,” the report said.
Around 450 pupils were due to sit the paper next month, and schools and colleges will be informed of its withdrawal.
The report also says that the Telegraph had highlighted concerns in particular about WJEC GCSE history.
No papers for this qualification are due to be taken in January, Ofqual said, and issues relating to this course and others will be investigated at a later date.
Exam boards have also been ordered to put in extra controls on seminars, and told to review their published guidance and seminar material on exams.
Ofqual chief executive Glenys Stacey said: “This update outlines our initial plans and findings and the actions taken to protect future exams.
“Where we have found evidence that a question paper has been compromised we have taken action. We
AT&T Scholarship Provides John Marshall Law School Elder Law Student With Paid Internship
AT&T Scholarship Provides John Marshall Law School Elder Law Student With Paid Internship A semester-long internship at the Center for Disability and Elder Law sponsored by the legal department of AT&T gave third-year law student Rebecca Erde hands-on experience for her future profession.
Erde, who has a journalism degree from the University of Wisconsin and an M.B.A. from DePaul University, left a 12-year career in advertising and marketing to pursue a law degree. She will receive a JD from The John Marshall Law School in January with a certificate in Elder Law.
“I’m hoping to assist the growing elderly and disabled population with critical financial and health care planning,” Erde said. As part of her internship, she received a $2,500 scholarship award from AT&T. At CDEL she has worked on the Senior Center Initiative program, drafted wills, interviewed disabled and elderly candidates to determine their legal needs, assisted people with filing petitions and court proceedings at the Pro Se Guardianship Help Desk at the Daley Center, and with her 7-11 license Erde is able to represent candidates with petitions for Guardianship.