National Standards

Chris Stace and I got together on Thursday to discuss what some of the issues might be with the introduction of National Standards and how it would affect our worksites.

We are both teacher aides who work with students in the mainstream who need extra assistance. One in primary and one  Secondary.

From the Yr 1-8 perspective - We agree there maybe a real problem with a narrow curriculum being taught, only teaching to the particular standard so students will not have so much "general knowledge" topics taught to them.

When they reach Year 9 and above their knowledge may be quite narrow about other topics.

The feeling by any of these students that they are labelled as "under achieving" their already low self esteem may even hit rock bottom and as a result their behaviour could get them taken out of classes.

Also their is the question of exta pressure being put on everyone to get these students "up to speed", the lack of funding there is to go around each student after the grand total of money has come from the Ministry. Everyone working in schools is going to be pressured into assuring success, not only the students but all staff who work with students.