GCE debate rages as study shows UK kid's maths woes

[oxyleo]

I know this is off topic, but since I had brought up dyslexia and 3boys also discussed it along the same vein as other educationally subnormal children forming the bottom 5% of IQ tests, I do need to offer some clarification on dyslexia, to do justice to dyslexics. Dyslexics do not have low IQ. Guess who's on the dyslexic list?


http://www.famousdyslexicpeople.com/tag/singapore/

http://www.dyslexia.com/famous.htm

A man we all owe a great heap of gratitude to, and many others who made it as Nobel prize winners, scientists, writers, journalists etc.

I'm happy for them that in their time, they were not labelled slow learners or low achievers and then were given a whole lot less cos they couldn't catch up, and made to believe that, well, that's life.

[oxyleo]

optimistforum:

I only wish that education aroused the same passions, with parents, here in England. Kiasu parents here are a fanstatstic credit to their children.

optimistforum,

Thank you for sharing your observation. It is true that parental involvement and the choices they make, right or wrong, for their children in education, have a huge impact on the child's future.

[verykiasu2010]

oxyleo:

optimistforum:

I only wish that education aroused the same passions, with parents, here in England. Kiasu parents here are a fanstatstic credit to their children.

optimistforum,

Thank you for sharing your observation. It is true that parental involvement and the choices they make, rightly or wrongly, for their children in education, have a huge impact on the child's future.

perhaps parents in England need to attend course on Kiasuism 101 ?

CKS will conduct a 5 day seminar at S$5000. Early bird discount of 20% is available. While slots last !

[optimistforum]

verykiasu2010:

oxyleo:

[quote=\"optimistforum\"]I only wish that education aroused the same passions, with parents, here in England. Kiasu parents here are a fanstatstic credit to their children.

optimistforum,

Thank you for sharing your observation. It is true that parental involvement and the choices they make, rightly or wrongly, for their children in education, have a huge impact on the child's future.

perhaps parents in England need to attend course on Kiasuism 101 ?

CKS will conduct a 5 day seminar at S$5000. Early bird discount of 20% is available. While slots last ![/quote]I guess I am your designated English Kiasu Champion :imcool: .

[oxyleo]

optimistforum:

I guess I am your designated English Kiasu Champion :imcool: .

Haha! :congrats: Honourable Sir!

[optimistforum]

I am attending a Secondary School open evening today, for my son to enter in Sept 2014. For me it is crucial to see a school embracing good ol’ fashion O’Levels (or even its poor cousin, the IGCSE!).

[oxyleo]

optimistforum:

I am attending a Secondary School open evening today, for my son to enter in Sept 2014. For me it is crucial to see a school embracing good ol' fashion O'Levels (or even its poor cousin, the IGCSE!).

Good to hear that. Indeed, it is crucial that you are involved and can offer your guidance where necessary. Your child will thank you for it!

[optimistforum]

oxyleo:

optimistforum:

I am attending a Secondary School open evening today, for my son to enter in Sept 2014. For me it is crucial to see a school embracing good ol' fashion O'Levels (or even its poor cousin, the IGCSE!).

Good to hear that. Indeed, it is crucial that you are involved and can offer your guidance where necessary. Your child will thank you for it!

Had a run-in with the headmaster. The school was amongst the top in the country at GCSE (because starting them a year early, sheer volume of GCSEs and lots of resits). I asked if they would do IGCSEs and why their A' Level results do not mirror the GCSEs - to which he replied \"I am sure there are many other schools you could choose from\"...... :censored:

[oxyleo]

optimistforum:

oxyleo:

[quote=\"optimistforum\"]I am attending a Secondary School open evening today, for my son to enter in Sept 2014. For me it is crucial to see a school embracing good ol' fashion O'Levels (or even its poor cousin, the IGCSE!).

Good to hear that. Indeed, it is crucial that you are involved and can offer your guidance where necessary. Your child will thank you for it!

Had a run-in with the headmaster. The school was amongst the top in the country at GCSE (because starting them a year early, sheer volume of GCSEs and lots of resits). I asked if they would do IGCSEs and why their A' Level results do not mirror the GCSEs - to which he replied \"I am sure there are many other schools you could choose from\"...... :censored:[/quote]Horror of horrors!!! :yikes:
What do you intend to do?

Optimistforum, may I ask if you could share your observation on what happened in the UK before you guys got to this point? Ie was it all competitive and cut-throat years back, where schools were fighting with each other for the best students and teachers to get to the top? And then someone pulled the plug and said no more fighting? Just curious to analyze the sequence of events. Do you also see a students having tuition/enrichment? :

Thanks in advance.

[optimistforum]

Hi Oxyleo


Re the school in question, it’s the best school around and 45 mins by special bus - so I may still go for it.

RE the situation in the UK. I will prepare a more reasoned response for this, but a mature culture such as yours will always question the status quo. In the 60s, such questioing by liberals led to the so called "race to the bottom" and dumbing down of oour education syste. It is now facing a resurgence. Thanks to my foray into Singapore Education in 2006, I am slighly ahead of the game.

PS my DS1 had tutoring this morning. I dislike this; my wife has encouraged this as I shout and withdraw privileges (never, ever hit) if my DC do not perform their enrichment activities to a high standard. To cut a long story short the tutor uses books not as robust as the ones I bought from Singapore - so I feel frustrated. I may withdraw the tutor and carry on with my home enrichment. PPS, DS1 got his end of year report last week, and has achieved grades that he should expect in two years time.

I guess it is midnight over there. Have a good evening.