Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

Choosing a school in a knowledge vacuum

By John Ridd - posted Wednesday, 12 October 2005


A significant part of the current Australia-wide education discussion is centred on parental choice. Much of that discussion is focused on the issue of public versus private schooling.
 
It is axiomatic that choice involves decision making. It should also be axiomatic that all decisions need to be made in the light of good quality, reliable information. The poorer the information, the less likely it is that the best decision will be made.
Advertisement
 
Unfortunately the information we have on a given school is poor, far less than we have on food items. Try an experiment. Pick any tin or packet of food from the cupboard and look at all the information that is there. It is detailed, giving not only what ingredients there are but numerical detail on various dietary issues. Now think about the secondary school down the road. How much do you really know about that school and the quality of education it provides? Do you really know anything at all about it?
 
And note, I don't mean rumour or scuttlebutt, but facts and solid reliable knowledge.
 
The decision as to which school to send little Joanna or Johnny to is important: much more important than what is in a tin of tomatoes, but the vast majority of us know much less about a school than we do about tomatoes.
Advertisement
 
Above all else, do you have any evidence at all as to the improvements in individual student performance at the enabling subjects English, Maths and Science over time?
 
  1. Pages:
  2. Page 1
  3. 2
  4. 3
  5. All

Article edited by Chris Smith.
If you'd like to be a volunteer editor too, click here.



Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

2 posts so far.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

John Ridd taught and lectured in maths and physics in UK, Nigeria and Queensland. He co-authored a series of maths textbooks and after retirement worked for and was awarded a PhD, the topic being 'participation in rigorous maths and science.'

Other articles by this Author

All articles by John Ridd

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Photo of John Ridd
Article Tools
Comment 2 comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy