Subtext - the monthly newsletter of the Education

June 17 2004

Understanding learning differences between boys and girls Changing how students are assessed could help to address the problem of boys dropping behind at school, a visiting educational psychologist says.

It's school, but not school as we know it

An innovative, on-line learning programme to assist teenage students back into education was launched last week by Education Minister Trevor Mallard.

Budget's early childcare plan 'removes parental choice'

No choice for parents, drops in quality, centre closures, long waiting lists, shortages of centres, a halt to investment in the sector: the government's early childhood education funding plans are bad news for parents, say providers.

Voucher-like scheme for reading tuition in Australia

In an Australian first, parents of Year Three children who need help to read will be given $700 for individual reading lessons.

Budget gains for early childhood knocked by 'anti-private-sector bias'

Last month's Budget funding increases for early childhood education were negated by moves from the Minister of Education to disadvantage the private sector, says the Early Childhood Council (ECC).

Too much untargeted education spending in budget, says Business NZ

The Budget had too much untargeted investment in education and skills and an insufficient focus on critical issues such as adult literacy, says Business NZ.

Zoning is a major frustration to NZ parents, report finds

Parents want more direct control of their children's schooling with zoning identified as a major frustration, a report released in May shows.

Public schools improve under competition from private schools

Public schools respond to competition from private schools by improving the quality of instruction, a new study finds. School choice works, says Reform Britain

School choice enables children to attend better schools, raises standards in existing state schools and provides opportunity for all, a new pamphlet says.

Aristotle's Books: book selection

The book Education and Capitalism says the free market will best improve education.

NZers rate education higher than the economy
Education rates highly in a survey of New Zealand values related to economic growth and innovation.
News briefs this month include: a
.. Apprenticeships for British 14-year-olds
b.. British govt to invest more money in state/independent school partnerships
c.. Japanese education's 'biggest shake-up in 100 years'
d.. Canada surveys graduates' student debt
e.. Single mothers shown to be highly responsive to childcare subsidies

ENDS

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