tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881402584568285627.post748035637834651295..comments2024-03-20T00:30:11.702-07:00Comments on Home Education Heretic: Studying home educationSimon Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10865289865412656573noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881402584568285627.post-17540798513103523532010-03-17T11:53:56.397-07:002010-03-17T11:53:56.397-07:00Balls got nerve to pick on home educators!
A boy...Balls got nerve to pick on home educators!<br /><br />A boy who died after an asthma attack at a Greater Manchester school died of natural causes contributed to by neglect, an inquest jury ruled.<br /><br />Valuable time was lost as Sam Linton, 11, was made to sit in a corridor at Offerton High, Stockport, as he struggled to breathe, the jury heard.<br /><br />His death was significantly contributed to by neglect on an individual and systemic level, the inquest said.<br /><br />The boy died a few hours later in hospital on 4 December 2007.<br /><br />His parents have called for stronger implementation of first aid procedures at his school.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881402584568285627.post-58757570122872412882010-03-17T11:05:20.860-07:002010-03-17T11:05:20.860-07:00may I interject here- the comment about the pustul...may I interject here- the comment about the pustulance in the DCSF and boil needing lacing was left open to interpretation- could mean a general atmosphere / attitude which was not favourable to Home Education and not neccessarily referring to Ed balls specifically. I personally interpreted it as the former meaning not the latter and ui was ther ein the room when the comment was made. i agree it is ambiguous, and possibly intentionally so.Tania and Andrew on Pegasushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15534788508242366703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881402584568285627.post-6349670462749947652010-03-17T10:32:46.211-07:002010-03-17T10:32:46.211-07:00As I say, without proper research and evidence to ...As I say, without proper research and evidence to back up its efficacy, home education is likely to continue to be viewed as a fringe activity by many in the educational establishment. This is a shame, because the home can be an astonishingly effective educational setting. There will be practical and undesirable repercussions for home educators in the future. If the myth persists that home education is not good for children from a purely educational perspective, then there is likely to be a move in the future to restrict it. The way to tackle this is head on by proving that home education is at least as effective as school. This cannot be done without a properly designed study.Simon Webbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10865289865412656573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881402584568285627.post-18998652712568215882010-03-17T09:31:56.761-07:002010-03-17T09:31:56.761-07:00Susieg.
I agree that the governments policy on HE ...Susieg.<br />I agree that the governments policy on HE needs to change. I'd consider it a pre-requisite to any further discussion- a committment to eliminate institutional bias.<br />However after this we can only communicate effectively (both sides ) if we understand each other perceptions of the other's views- not just the other point of view .<br /> This means to recognise that there are for both sides, certain problematic areas. <br />I think it is unacceptable to dismiss the children who may be being failed because they are a minority- or because I dispute the actual size of that minority or the powers are already there or because the funding 'should' be there or because it is not my problem if the Childrens Act and ECM now poke their noses into family life . It is equally as unacceptable for concerns to be dismissed about current woeful practice in many LAs, lack of access to any funding , lack of accountability /complaints proceedure, and encroachment of public bodies into private life/ possible resulting false positives .<br /><br />Correct me if I am wrong but in British Columbia there are a similar amount of registered home educators to the Uk- 20,000 and about 2000 who choose not to notify.<br /> 90% are registered by choice and 15% of that 90% are autonomous,the other 10% may all be unschoolers Its a shame that there are not some studies done- but because people are happy with the system there , no-one feels the need to do the study .<br /><br />I am unclear about when or if 'studies' would help- -if the mistrust is overcome would there be a need to do any research.<br />If the mistrust is not overcome -the research will either be meaningless or will be rendered meaningless due to non participation.Tania and Andrew on Pegasushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15534788508242366703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881402584568285627.post-78299194501607975132010-03-17T09:27:56.433-07:002010-03-17T09:27:56.433-07:00"Everything changed a couple of years ago. No..."Everything changed a couple of years ago. Now what was the significant event of the summer of 2007."<br /><br />2007 was also the year the York Consultancy research was published. These are their recommendations based on a survey on 9 LAs and their staff and 18 HE parents:<br /><br />"Recommendation 1: The DfES should take steps to address the concerns raised by LAs regarding the tension between the legalities surrounding EHE and LA obligations around child welfare. Action should be taken to more effectively define what constitutes an efficient and suitable education for the purposes of LA monitoring.<br /><br />Recommendation 2: LAs should analyse the reasons why parents are electing to home educate and take steps to address what some parents view as inefficiencies in the school system (such as bullying, special educational needs, standards, choice of school)....<br /><br />Recommendation 3: Attempts should be made to assess the capacity of LAs to monitor children receiving EHE should numbers continue to rise and tracking systems lead to more effective identification (and thereby increased numbers). Some LAs may lack the resource to cope with increasing numbers."<br /><br />http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/research/data/uploadfiles/RB827.pdf<br /><br />Sound familiar? If this study was the trigger for all that has followed it makes a mockery of evidence based policy. A minute sample (it was only a feasibility study) and obviously self selected.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881402584568285627.post-58728862769441633952010-03-17T07:59:10.357-07:002010-03-17T07:59:10.357-07:00>>>>The only way that teachers, EWOs a...>>>>The only way that teachers, EWOs and the Department for Children, Schools and Families are going to accept home education as a workable alternative to school is if there is evidence to back up the claims that it works well.<<<<<<<<<br /><br />Well, it was accepted by govt Ed Depts(and its changing names) for many years until relatively recently. Teachers couldn't have cared less about it years ago, either. Can't speak for social workers.<br /><br />Everything changed a couple of years ago. Now what was the significant event of the summer of 2007. Can anyone tell me? Hands up, anyone? You need a clue? He's been described by a member of the House of lords as a boil that needs lancing.<br /><br />Mrs Anon<br />PS *I* would never describe anyone like that, obviously.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881402584568285627.post-19264266355661956902010-03-17T07:50:04.395-07:002010-03-17T07:50:04.395-07:00>>>>>>>what campaigning group...>>>>>>>what campaigning group? why was your family picked but not others? Did you put in a good word for Hampshire Council! that yourk consultancy only wanted to hear from those who got in with they LA!<<<<<<<<<<<<br /><br />SHE WASN'T KNOWN TO THE LA. Do keep up.<br /><br />Mrs AnonAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881402584568285627.post-24123802209583442642010-03-17T07:47:32.669-07:002010-03-17T07:47:32.669-07:00The only way that teachers, EWOs and the Departmen...The only way that teachers, EWOs and the Department for Children, Schools and Families are going to accept home education as a workable alternative to school is if there is evidence to back up the claims that it works well. I know it works and so I suspect do all those who come on here. This si not enough though. We need to have proper work carried out by an objective body which will demonstrate its effectiveness. The fact that it is the DCSF which will be commissioning this work does not suggest that it will be biased. Nor does the fact that it is being done under the Close the gap in educational achievement for children from disadvantaged backgrounds plan. It was probably a toss up between this and Independent Schools.<br /><br />None of the existing research is particularly good and it is high time that some proper work was carried out. this is a great opportunity and I think that home educators would be foolish to boycott this.Simon Webbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10865289865412656573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881402584568285627.post-38619354697430807502010-03-17T06:39:57.855-07:002010-03-17T06:39:57.855-07:00Julie said...
and to answer the suggestion th...Julie said...<br /><br /> and to answer the suggestion that we may have been surveyed by York Consultancy because Hants put us forward - err, exaactly the opposite - we were contacted by a campaigning organisation working on behalf of home educators and encouraged to take part!<br /><br />what campaigning group? why was your family picked but not others? Did you put in a good word for Hampshire Council! that yourk consultancy only wanted to hear from those who got in with they LA!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881402584568285627.post-52087070167449694112010-03-17T06:35:38.965-07:002010-03-17T06:35:38.965-07:00Tania and Andrew said "....now....... visuali...Tania and Andrew said "....now....... visualise Ed balls saying the following......<br /><br />''We've been insulted, vilified and harrassed by the home educators . They have not attempted to co-operate with us. Our views have been dismissed out of hand for one spurious reason after another; as soon as one lie is exposed they think of another. They clearly have very narrow-minded and inflexible beliefs about the nature of education.<br />We don't trust them.''<br /><br />Unfortunately, the problem is not about perceptions of each other's views. The government's policy toward home education changed significantly after Gordon Brown became PM and put Ed Balls in charge of the ECM agenda. Both of them are economists, both are looking for political advantage and neither are renowned for their people skills. Economics as a discipline regularly falls flat on its face when it comes to predicting human behaviour. They attribute social problems to a poor start in life, ergo, if you can eradicate a poor start in life we will all be a lot better off in every way. The way they are doing this is by rewarding ‘good’ behaviour and punishing ‘bad’ behaviour, an extraordinarily simplistic way to approach complex social problems, many of which are more likely to be due, directly or indirectly, to economic policies.<br /><br />The very existence of home education is an implicit criticism of state education. I think Balls wants it reined in. A lot of people want it banned, I suspect - hence the repeated references to Germany. If the government was primarily concerned about safeguarding and quality of education for the nation’s children, there are many areas that have needed attention for years that should take a higher priority than home education. The reasons for high staff turnover in social services departments and schools would be a good place to start. <br /><br />I appreciate your concerns about finding some practical way forward, but I think the government’s approach to EHE is ideological and political, not instrumental - it simply wants to discourage people from choosing to educate their children at home. Studies in propaganda have shown that minority groups can change public opinion by consistently repeating a simple message. I think that's what we have to do. One day the penny will drop.suzygnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881402584568285627.post-39055148865065883482010-03-17T06:34:22.710-07:002010-03-17T06:34:22.710-07:00Shut your eyes and imagine Ed Balls, Diane, Johnso...Shut your eyes and imagine Ed Balls, Diane, Johnson, Baroness Deech and Badman all in one private room discussing what to do about this entire debacle......pretend , if you must it is a nightmare from which you will soon wake .... ....now....... visualise Ed balls saying the following......<br />Tania says<br />''We've been insulted, vilified and harrassed by the home educators . They have not attempted to co-operate with us. Our views have been dismissed out of hand for one spurious reason after another; as soon as one lie is exposed they think of another. They clearly have very narrow-minded and inflexible beliefs about the nature of education.<br /><br />I dont think you will see Balls/Jonhnson/Deech in same room aying this election is coming and a number of labour seats are going to be lost you may find them not singing from the same hymn sheet indeed they may well turn on each. other! Deech does not have to worry so much she is unelected!<br /><br /> Tania says I want to concentrate on what CAN be done to prevent imminent disaster as this tank comes straight towards the HE community. I do not wish to be a martyr nor a traitor....is anyone with me?<br /><br />What imminent disaster? i dont see any? what do you mean about being a martyr we home educating how do we come one? by not doing as we are told?i never do as i am told so lets hope they do try and make us a martyr but some how i dont think they will all talk and no action is our LA!<br /><br />No we not with you sorry if you want to give in thats up to you we wont!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881402584568285627.post-7687748962560904812010-03-17T05:43:23.014-07:002010-03-17T05:43:23.014-07:00Julie really did say,
"Anon said that Julie ...Julie really did say,<br /><br />"Anon said that Julie said,<br />"They have not attempted to co-operate with us."<br /><br />Now I have no idea which anon said this, but I know that I certainly didn't!! "<br /><br />Copious apologies, Julie! That reply should have been addressed to 'Tania and Andrew on Pegasus'.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881402584568285627.post-45142635506456983442010-03-17T05:31:28.440-07:002010-03-17T05:31:28.440-07:00and to answer the suggestion that we may have been...and to answer the suggestion that we may have been surveyed by York Consultancy because Hants put us forward - err, exaactly the opposite - we were contacted by a campaigning organisation working on behalf of home educators and encouraged to take part!<br /><br /> (Actually we spent our HE years without LA contact at all, so they couldn't have put us forward anyway!)Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881402584568285627.post-50106841642635782382010-03-17T05:28:02.136-07:002010-03-17T05:28:02.136-07:00Anon said that Julie said,
"They have not att...Anon said that Julie said,<br />"They have not attempted to co-operate with us."<br /><br /> Now I have no idea which anon said this, but I know that I certainly didn't!! <br /><br />I don't mind being held responisble for that which I did say but not for stuff that I have no record of uttering!Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881402584568285627.post-48691601087376653502010-03-17T05:24:37.257-07:002010-03-17T05:24:37.257-07:00"The review will assess the effectiveness of ..."The review will assess the effectiveness of current arrangements and will, if necessary, make recommendations for improvements."<br />As someone known to my good practice LA , I am not happy with current arrangements' Those who do not live in 'good' practice LAs may have even more reason to want improvements. It is not at all clear how many of the population who choose not to be on their LA list would actually uptake services if there was anything on offer....in short- so much was missed out in the Badman Review that I do not find it useful to use it as a constant term of reference ..i fee that the DCSF did as little as they thought they could get away with in order to make a point..it was a point they have been trying to make for years(look at the history of consultation since 2003) but got no where-of course they enlisted someone to help them make this point- they needed a review.<br />Some people in the home ed community worked hard to participate but the entire community was not mobilised. I admit personal laissez faire, having only become active in the past 8 months. I think that 'we the HE community ' are coming late to the table ....before now organisations spoke for us but these organisations did not have united nor large membership. <br />What is missing is a way to solicit the views of everyone who wishes to make their view known. ...from satisfaction with LA, what if any gov. funding/provision would be helpful, how many are AE etc...this is easy to do for the population who is on the LA lists but not impossible for those who chose not be on the lists to have access to the same questions.........<br />It is obvious many people are displeased at the way gov has approached this but not so obvious how many are in the 'just say no' camp, how many don't really care that much and how many think some improvements could be made .....<br /><br />Plenty may have co-operated with the Badman enquiry but in the end he probably saw no more than 500 home educators. The majority are silent on the matter- 5 thousand consultation responses out of a minimum 30,000 children ?<br /><br />Although those who have been active do not have the same opinions about what is the best course of action, a realisation and contemplation that that we in the community who have tried to make our voices heard are in a minority and could not be considered representative. I do not say this to be antagonisitc- only to point out a truth.How do we reach the thousands of families who are silent or are they silent by choice or indifference?<br /><br />They say a certain percent are being failed: we say that percent is inflated. We say we are not listened to: they say we are a small but loud minority.<br /><br />There is no way out of this thinking pattern and I can see no good come of it for the HE community.<br />I really really hope that once the beast at the door is lost in the wash-up that those who are active can come to some understanding of what the next best move is and try to influence it...Tania and Andrew on Pegasushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15534788508242366703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881402584568285627.post-1170779661106863742010-03-17T04:33:54.823-07:002010-03-17T04:33:54.823-07:00Julie said,
"They have not attempted to co-op...Julie said,<br />"They have not attempted to co-operate with us. "<br /><br />I thought that plenty of people co-operated with the Badman enquiry. He was invited to lots of HE meetings and attended some and plenty of people spoke and corresponded with him. It only went wrong once it became clear that he ignored anything that didn't agree with their pre-planned agenda. <br /><br />For instance, the terms of reference for the review included:<br /><br />"The review will assess the effectiveness of current arrangements and will, if necessary, make recommendations for improvements."<br /><br />Yet very early on in the process Badman made it clear that change was inevitable, well before he had change investigate and assess the effectiveness of the current arrangements or reach conclusions. <br /><br />"I want to concentrate on what CAN be done to prevent imminent disaster as this tank comes straight towards the HE community."<br /><br />I'm not sure we can - as you say, those with the power usually win so why would they need to compromise and listen? Plenty of people made valid suggestions in the consultation but they were largely ignored with no attempt to justify their decisions in light of the reasons given for not taking those decisions. What do you suggest people do when every time they try to communicate with the DCSF they are ignored?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881402584568285627.post-18861730381295629702010-03-17T04:18:43.119-07:002010-03-17T04:18:43.119-07:00I do not think Simon is finding any of this 's...I do not think Simon is finding any of this 'strange'. Nor is he 'stunned', 'surprised' or 'shocked' or any other superlative that he uses in his blogs in order to play devils advocate and elicit views.<br /><br />However what I find ironic is the polarisation of views and in particular the language used which brings us all to stalemate- please please note I am not saying I agree with the DCSF- not by a long shot , I am just pointing out the similarities !<br /><br />Shut your eyes and imagine Ed Balls, Diane, Johnson, Baroness Deech and Badman all in one private room discussing what to do about this entire debacle......pretend , if you must it is a nightmare from which you will soon wake .... ....now....... visualise Ed balls saying the following......<br /><br />''We've been insulted, vilified and harrassed by the home educators . They have not attempted to co-operate with us. Our views have been dismissed out of hand for one spurious reason after another; as soon as one lie is exposed they think of another. They clearly have very narrow-minded and inflexible beliefs about the nature of education.<br />We don't trust them.''<br /><br />Lets agree that one side is right and one side is wrong...or lets agree that neither side is entirely correct......... to me it is largely irrelevant ...those with the power usually 'win' and I have grown weary with the constant indignation...I want to concentrate on what CAN be done to prevent imminent disaster as this tank comes straight towards the HE community. I do not wish to be a martyr nor a traitor....is anyone with me?Tania and Andrew on Pegasushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15534788508242366703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881402584568285627.post-78939104303664922772010-03-17T03:37:39.105-07:002010-03-17T03:37:39.105-07:00"there are already murmurings of discontent a..."there are already murmurings of discontent about the idea among home educators. This is very strange."<br /><br />No, it isn't. We've been insulted, vilified and harrassed by the DCSF. They have not attempted to co-operate with us. Our views have been dismissed out of hand for one spurious reason after another; as soon as one lie is exposed they think of another. They clearly have very narrow-minded and inflexible beliefs about the nature of education. <br />We don't trust them. What's so strange about that?Ericanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881402584568285627.post-52509920021910377122010-03-17T03:23:16.723-07:002010-03-17T03:23:16.723-07:00did Hampshire LA put your name forward Julie?'...did Hampshire LA put your name forward Julie?'<br /><br />Please stop harrassing Julie, Peter. It's almost every day now that you make some snide comment about her. <br /><br />It is a simple question did Hampshire LA put Julie name forward? and why? and who else was put forward in Hampshire what was the process for this? was it as i suspect only people put forward where those that do home education the way Hampshire want it done? <br /><br />this will be the same with the DCSF study? pick people it knows/hopes will give DCSF the answers it wants? i dont think Simon would want this?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881402584568285627.post-44373604506522778892010-03-17T03:11:50.816-07:002010-03-17T03:11:50.816-07:00Tania Blimey I would not find that funny AT ALL.
...Tania Blimey I would not find that funny AT ALL.<br /><br />I would and it would serve old Balls right! for allowing DCSF to say we like the BNP! Balls would have known the DCSF where going to say this about home educators and BNP. we must also remember even if we dont like it that BNP is a legal party!<br /><br />in the daily mail it said Balls was busy writing stuff on mass immigration jobs for English and the leaflets where put though doors in Yourkshire! A number of people in Yorkshire had come forward to say he never bothered before about mass immigration or Jobs for English is it because he is now facing this strong challenge from BNP?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881402584568285627.post-60407171833331579082010-03-17T03:03:18.704-07:002010-03-17T03:03:18.704-07:00'I thought so they talked to Julie cos she doe...'I thought so they talked to Julie cos she does it the right way? did Hampshire LA put your name forward Julie?'<br /><br />Please stop harrassing Julie, Peter. It's almost every day now that you make some snide comment about her. <br /><br />Mrs AnonAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881402584568285627.post-91164657321787932602010-03-17T02:57:02.994-07:002010-03-17T02:57:02.994-07:00Blimey I would not find that funny AT ALL.Blimey I would not find that funny AT ALL.Tania and Andrew on Pegasushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15534788508242366703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881402584568285627.post-88362250413467843602010-03-17T02:47:53.836-07:002010-03-17T02:47:53.836-07:00tania says a new government and a new leaf are nee...tania says a new government and a new leaf are needed first.<br /><br />yes i agree with that Tania and Andrew well said lets hope we get one and with any luck Balls could lose his seat! to BNP! now that would be funny! Balls is quite worried about this it was in daliy Mail that he is facing very strong challenge from them!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881402584568285627.post-50280052583821524852010-03-17T02:44:17.865-07:002010-03-17T02:44:17.865-07:00anonymous...maybe you missed the adage -'serio...anonymous...maybe you missed the adage -'seriously though' - this is definitely a pig flying scenario and was thoroughly tongue in cheek.Tania and Andrew on Pegasushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15534788508242366703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881402584568285627.post-26826113533958408502010-03-17T02:40:49.567-07:002010-03-17T02:40:49.567-07:00I thought so they talked to Julie cos she does it ...I thought so they talked to Julie cos she does it the right way? did Hampshire LA put your name forward Julie?<br /><br /> tania says Also what if they paid the parents a means tested 'wage' - the unemployment figures would drop!<br />And pigs will fly!<br /><br />Tania says intend to recommend HE to all children from disadvantaged backgrounds<br /><br />i dont think they do that they making out all home educators are from Disadvantaged backgroundsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com