National Standards and Social Studies

At the conclusion of SocCon, the Hon. Anne Tolley was at pains to point out the difference between National Standards and National Testing for the forthcoming Literacy and Numeracy national standards

After the previous keynote, in which Syd Golston gave an insight to the 'collateral damage' of the testing regime of the United States' No Child Left Behind reforms, it was hardly surprising that the Minister for Education wanted to distinguish the NZ approach to that of the US and UK.

However, while the means are likely to be different (the spectre of a few days of national testing would be unpalatable for NZ educators and parents), WASSA cannot help thinking whether, for social studies in particular, the ends of a national standards focus will will be similar to that of national testing. In particular, will a focus on numeracy and literacy standards further marginalise the place of social studies in New Zealand Primary schools?

One would hope not, as a broad, rich, balanced curriculum experience is surely a mechanism through which raising standards can be achieved. However, the possibility of literacy/numeracy league tables being produced, through which a very narrow (albeit important) outcome of education is taken as a sign of 'success' may only increase the pressure on schools to push social studies to one side.

The challenge will lie with advocates of social studies to ensure that a focus on 'basics' and offering quality social studies experiences are not mutually exclusive.

UPDATE: EEeeek...check the back to basics approach the Tory party in the UK is promoting. In a nutshell it seems the 3Rs will be achieved by the 4 Ss: Smart (uniformed) schools , soldiers, setting and sackings... :-(

UPDATE 2: It seems as though the spectre of league tables has been vanquished...or did we speak too soon?!