Melanie Plenda’s Post

New: pupils suspended ten or more times appear to have just as poor, if not poorer, outcomes compared to those who experience permanent exclusion - reveals our report that we commissioned from the Education Policy Institute Addressing school suspensions is a policy issue that requires a comprehensive approach beyond the school level. The Department for Education should consider a dedicated programme setting out how best to respond to behaviour, reflecting evidence on in-school and out-of-school drivers. Swipe ➡️ to see key findings and what future policies in this area should consider Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/eQBNRz2z

Most Improved on our Education Freedom Report Card goes to Louisiana and Wyoming! We’ve examined education laws and quality of education across the nation to rank states on their education freedom. Learn more about where your states ranks and why at https://lnkd.in/ewbshnEv

45% of special education directors say school-parent disputes on the rise, survey shows. This yet-to-be-published CADRE survey finds special education directors want more training and resources.

With each Kentucky legislative session, P-12 public education, which comprises over a third of the state budget, takes the spotlight. And the 2024 session that began just after New Year’s and wrapped up Monday was no different. Students are the most knowledgeable about the effects of many education policies, especially concerning the policies of their individual districts. To address problems directly, we need a platform to amplify our voices and perspectives and participate in conversations around the issues. Read more in this opinion piece by New Edu author Khoa (Ai): https://lnkd.in/gu4UpSFM

Alternative schools serve students who have faced precarious educational circumstances, and traditional accountability systems may not be the best way to distinguish between effective and ineffective alternative schools. Read our new blog to learn more: https://lnkd.in/eCcGHa2i

The Charter School Difference – Flexibility, Accountability, and Accessibility. Learn how Charter Schools provide a viable alternative for families when it comes to free public education. Read more about the article using this link: https://lnkd.in/gPe4U4FF

If you want to reform Education System then start from Pre- Primary and Primary Level.

Sincere Congratulations to the Secretary of State for Education. It is heartening to see that virtually all members of the new Cabinet attended state schools. Rachel Reeves the Chancellor was a pupil at the comprehensive where I held my first teaching post! This school had a fair proportion of vulnerable and disadvantaged children; many with low aspirations . I honestly believe that Bridget Phillipson vision of change in education is grounded in reality as the school she attended most certainly would also have had its share of ‘vulnerable and disadvantaged children’. I suggest that attracting teachers into the profession and retaining them can only happen by a focus on some key priorities: 1) creating a work life balance through taking the fear and punitive onerous burden of Ofsted inspection out of the school environment; 2) retaining professional accountability through an inspectorate that evaluates effectiveness in collaboration with schools and offers support to those who need it rather than a ‘judge’ that leaves schools to the mercy of consultants when the going gets tough 3) a secondary curriculum that recognises a one size academic EBACC does not fit all; a curriculum that offers adaptability and autonomy for schools to provide their unique diverse range of children with subject choice including creative technical and vocational routes. 4) Respect for children’s learning needs especially SEND will result in more positive attitudes to learning, reignite enjoyment in learning and therefore less need for draconian punitive behaviour policies 5) an early years curriculum with greater focus on learning through play and a primary curriculum with less focus on subject silos and more interdisciplinary learning; 7) SATs exams to be reviewed as their value is highly debatable as a true indicator of children’s ability and whether they are secondary ready literate /numerate. 8) the use of AI as a teaching aid to assist teachers with a range of admin, assessment and lesson planning tasks I have not mentioned funding but these 8 changes would be very welcome to the profession and I believe raise morale while attracting new recruits and retaining those who are currently disillusioned. The impact of happier teachers and curriculum changes can only impact positively on students through raising aspirations. Department for Education

Opportunities for all in our sector to come together and make these promises a reality for the communities we work in Future First

This month, we are talking about education in our 𝐈𝐧𝐅𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬 conversation series. At NPI, we understand the interest in having college-educated officers, but that may not always be attainable. Does having a college degree add value to officers on the job? In a 2017 study conducted by NPI in partnership with California State University's Fullerton Center for Public Policy, researchers examined the role of higher education in policing. Researchers spoke to 958 agencies representing all 50 states, making the project the largest and most comprehensive non-governmental study ever done on this topic. Read more here: https://hubs.li/Q02KZSZZ0