The Australian on 30th October carried an article by one Mark Lopez, under the heading PC warriors serve up a slanted education, with the sub-heading Examples abound of students trying to survive ideological bias in the classroom.
In case you missed it, you can still read it here: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22668464-7583,00.html
That will save me having to regurgitate and summarise the rubbish that the Australian’s editors found so compelling as to gave it prime centre space on their Opinion page.
What they don’t say is that the article is largely lifted from the October 27 issue of Newsweekly, that desperate little publication of the late Bob Santamaria’s National Civic Council. Lopez has been a regular contributor since 2000.
So who – or what – is Mark Lopez?
According to the article’s by-line he “is an educational consultant who was a participant in the Howard Government’s History Summit in August 2006.”
That’s part of the “who”.
The “what” is that he’s rapidly emerging as the replacement for Kevin Donnelly who seems to have fallen somewhat out of favour in reactionary circles.
Donnelly always waved the flag for the Right on education issues, particularly in the Australian and in the Institute for Public Affairs’ magazine IPA Review.
However, Donnelly lost favour with Bishop and other reactionaries when he distanced himself from her proposals for a national curriculum, and then went public with his observation that Labor was winning the education debate.
If you don’t stick to the straight and narrow then you’re on the outer. It sort of makes a mockery of Lopez’s “growing desire among Australians for greater intellectual diversity and freedom”.
Nevertheless, Lopez is emerging as the new Donnelly.
His credentials began with the publication of his The Origins of Multiculturalism in Australian Politics in 2000.
This was one of a new wave of right wing publications that ascribed every progressive development in any field to the work of “elites” and “lobbyists”. A tiny group of such persons developed the “ideology of multiculturalism” and foisted it on ministers in both the Whitlam and Fraser governments.
He has summarized the politics of the “multiculturalist” push and its victory over “public opinion” here: http://elecpress.monash.edu.au/pnp/free/pnpv8n4/v8n4_3Lopez.pdf
Then the IPA picked him up - at about the same time that Donnelly began to disappear from its pages.
Lopez contributed a four-page critique of The left wing domination of Year 12 English to the December 2006 edition, and reviewed Donnelly’s Dumbing Down: Outcomes-based and Politically Correct - The Impact of the Culture Wars on our Schools for the July 2007 edition.
The day after his latest piece in the Australian, Lopez was published in Melbourne’s Herald Sun (also part of the Murdoch empire). This piece was another teacher-bashing exercise timed to coincide with the Victorian branch of the AEU’s push for a new enterprise agreement and wage structure.
Lopez’s credential for this piece (also referenced in the Australian article) was his work as a private tutor: “As a private tutor…I have an insight into what is really going on…I have the rare opportunity to observe what is good about the system and what the teachers’ unions would rather Australian families not consider.”
This dismal diatribe can be found here: http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22668399-5000117,00.html
Perhaps we can suggest that the good Dr Lopez gets a job in a secondary school teaching Year 12 English or History to a class of 30 students, and compare that experience to the luxury of one-on-one tutoring before he throws any more slurs on the professionalism of Australian teachers.
It is unlikely that he will.
But keep in mind who - and what – he is the next time he graces the pages of a newspaper near you.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Education progresses in China and Finland
Two articles in the October 2007 issue of Phi Delta Kappan make interesting reading as Australia’s education system is pushed inexorably towards the US model: privatization of services, standardized testing, conservative political control, vouchers, expansion of private schools, performance pay, teacher bashing as a media art form.
The first article compares the US and Finnish education systems.
It can be accessed at: http://www.pdkintl.org/kappan/k_v89/k0710gru.htm
The second compares schooling in the US and China, and how each system seems to be moving towards what the other once was. It notes that “The Chinese system is making every effort to reduce the emphasis on exams because it is believed that China must foster creativity and innovation to compete in the global economy…American policy has identified accountability as the key to creating such a workforce, whereas Chinese policy has identified creativity as the key.”
This article can be accessed at: http://www.pdkintl.org/kappan/k_v89/k0710pre.htm
The first article compares the US and Finnish education systems.
It can be accessed at: http://www.pdkintl.org/kappan/k_v89/k0710gru.htm
The second compares schooling in the US and China, and how each system seems to be moving towards what the other once was. It notes that “The Chinese system is making every effort to reduce the emphasis on exams because it is believed that China must foster creativity and innovation to compete in the global economy…American policy has identified accountability as the key to creating such a workforce, whereas Chinese policy has identified creativity as the key.”
This article can be accessed at: http://www.pdkintl.org/kappan/k_v89/k0710pre.htm
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Progressive Educator ticket in AEU election win
The Progressive Educator ticket, representing the interests of all education workers, has won an impressive victory in the AEU SA branch elections.
Correna Haythorpe was successful in the contest for the Presidency, winning against Jan Webber, backed by the principal associations.
Marcus Knill has been re-elected Male Vice-President.
(Two other Progressive Educator candidates – Jack Major, who stood for reelection as General Secretary, and Anne Crawford who stood as Female Vice-President - were elected unopposed.)
In order of votes gained, the new Executive (with Progressive Educator candidates in bold face) consists of:
Andrew Gohl
Jan Webber
David Smith
Lara Kelly
Jackie Bone-George
Lesley Lindsay-Taylor
Chris Waugh
Peter Trethewey
Ray Marino
Kelvin Jeanes
Richard Baxter
Lorraine Young
Members are to be congratulated for responding to the call to keep the leadership of the union in the hands of a broadly representative progressive group.
Correna Haythorpe was successful in the contest for the Presidency, winning against Jan Webber, backed by the principal associations.
Marcus Knill has been re-elected Male Vice-President.
(Two other Progressive Educator candidates – Jack Major, who stood for reelection as General Secretary, and Anne Crawford who stood as Female Vice-President - were elected unopposed.)
In order of votes gained, the new Executive (with Progressive Educator candidates in bold face) consists of:
Andrew Gohl
Jan Webber
David Smith
Lara Kelly
Jackie Bone-George
Lesley Lindsay-Taylor
Chris Waugh
Peter Trethewey
Ray Marino
Kelvin Jeanes
Richard Baxter
Lorraine Young
Members are to be congratulated for responding to the call to keep the leadership of the union in the hands of a broadly representative progressive group.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
For a union that represents ALL members!
OK, it’s the dying days of the AEU elections in South Australia and most votes are in.
However, the grumbling and complaining continues to bounce along on the Principal Association chatlines.
Latest is this piece from Aberfoyle Park High PC08 Wendy Teasdale-Smith:
“Colleagues
Was I the only person who found it annoying and offensive to receive sent to my home address a letter from AEU candidates saying something to the effect of "whatever you do don't vote for any principals at the next election"? And, to have included in the letter references to what was implied as underhanded or inappropriate behaviour by the Associations?
Wendy “
For the record, this is the letter sent to members and signed by all Past Presidents with the exception of local Liberal party luminary Bob Jackson:
Dear……
Past AEU Presidents are taking the unprecedented step to write to you to provide some important information about this year’s AEU Elections.
Since the eighties, AEU leadership and executive have represented a balance of all members’ interests regardless of classification. The voices of SSOs, classroom teachers, Aboriginal educators, early years educators and of course principals have all been represented equally, fairly and in the best interests of all AEU members and Public Education.
This year, however, a group or “ticket”, consisting predominantly of principals is running for President, Vice-President and Executive positions.
This is an unprecedented attempt by a specific interest group to take control of the AEU to progress the interests of principals.
Such a ticket, particularly if supported by Principal Associations, will encourage a vote en bloc by Principals across South Australia, as evidenced by the outcome of the last AEU election in 2005.
A low participation rate in AEU voting by the broad membership will almost certainly see this narrow interest group elected.
That is why past AEU Presidents are calling upon you to make sure your vote counts this election and elect members of executive and of course a president and vice presidents who truly represent all members.
A progressive union that represents the interests of all members is the key to a strong and active union that has a proven track record of successfully promoting public education and improving all members’ working conditions.
(Signed by the following):
Andrew Gohl 2004-2007
John Gregory 1978-1981, 2000-2003
Janet Giles 1996-1999
Clare McCarty 1992-1995
David Tonkin 1988-1991
Leonie Ebert 1982-1983
Really, it’s a bit naughty of Wendy to word her gripe so sloppily, and to include a deliberate fabrication in quotation marks as though it really represented the views of six past Presidents from 1978 to the present (excluding the Liberal Jackson).
“Whatever you do, don’t vote for any principals at the nest election”????
Then why would we stand primary principal Marcus Knill as Male Vice-President and Area School principal Mick Braham for Executive on our ticket?
So people won’t vote for them?
Sloppy, Wendy, sloppy!
Teasdale-Smith’s piece followed on from a similar gripe by current executive member and primary principal Katrina Spencer that was pasted onto the Secondary Principals Association chatline by Phil Goldman.
Here is principal Mick Braham’s considered response to Spencer:
The email from Katrina Spencer and posted by Philip Goldman regarding the AEU elections cannot go without a response.
I understood that SASPA Executive determined they would not support any group in the AEU elections. I commend that stance. The AEU does not involve itself in anyway in Association elections and nor should Associations in AEU elections (I make a clear distinction here between associations and members of those associations). However, since a one-sided point of view has been posted on the chat-line, I felt it was important to respond to the email to give an alternative insight.
Firstly, to Katrina's comments, supported by Phil:
1) I do not concur that leaders are poorly represented in the AEU. It's easy to sit back and criticise, but as an active member of the AEU Band 3 Consultative Committee, it has been evident to me that the AEU is highly committed at improving the conditions for its leaders. As our Association can attest to, achieving "wins" with the employer (with the might of a State Government) is not easy. Marcus Knill as Vice President and Ken Drury as Band 3 Organiser are highly committed to AEU leaders in schools.
2) The letter sent to members by past AEU Presidents does not in any way "speak against" Principals. Three of the five past presidents who signed the letter were principals, one still is and another was recently thanked by the Secondary Principals Association for working pro bono in retirement to resist the education cuts. All were teachers, and proud of it. Together, they offer a wide range of perspectives. This group of past presidents is not against Principals and school leaders. They have a history of effective advocacy in the interests of all members, including principals and school leaders. They do not in their letter say who they endorse. They encourage a vote in the interests of ALL members. As one, they are merely making a point that there are two groups or "tickets" seeking election. One ticket is comprised almost totally of principals and deputies, predominantly primary, and the other represents all AEU members, including primary, including leaders, including secondary, and reflects that in its make up.
Privately, they may endorse a range of candidates representing all members, including principals and school leaders. That is why, amongst a group including a primary teacher for President, Correna Haythorpe, and Marcus Knill for Vice President, I have been endorsed for Executive. Marcus was Principal at Kimba Area School and Assistant Principal at Roxby Downs Area School before becoming AEU Vice President. I am currently the Principal at Cleve Area School and have spent the last 13 years in leadership positions.
In the previous two years, Marcus Knill has convened the AEU Secondary Education Committee to develop papers on the future of public senior secondary schooling in SA and response to the SACE Review. He has formed an AEU/DECS Future SACE Implementation Group and has held several AEU Future SACE forums, including one here in Whyalla. Who will provide this leadership in the AEU from the principals' ticket for Secondary curriculum?
Correna Haythorpe is currently the AEU Women's Officer. She addressed the Band 3 Committee earlier in the year and it was clear that she is committed to representing all members including school leaders.
Finally, I agree with Phil's concluding statement, I believe it is important to have leaders representing ALL AEU members. That's why I will be supporting Correna Haythorpe, Marcus Knill and the Progressive Educators ticket for the next crucial two years as we enter a new enterprise bargaining period.
However, the grumbling and complaining continues to bounce along on the Principal Association chatlines.
Latest is this piece from Aberfoyle Park High PC08 Wendy Teasdale-Smith:
“Colleagues
Was I the only person who found it annoying and offensive to receive sent to my home address a letter from AEU candidates saying something to the effect of "whatever you do don't vote for any principals at the next election"? And, to have included in the letter references to what was implied as underhanded or inappropriate behaviour by the Associations?
Wendy “
For the record, this is the letter sent to members and signed by all Past Presidents with the exception of local Liberal party luminary Bob Jackson:
Dear……
Past AEU Presidents are taking the unprecedented step to write to you to provide some important information about this year’s AEU Elections.
Since the eighties, AEU leadership and executive have represented a balance of all members’ interests regardless of classification. The voices of SSOs, classroom teachers, Aboriginal educators, early years educators and of course principals have all been represented equally, fairly and in the best interests of all AEU members and Public Education.
This year, however, a group or “ticket”, consisting predominantly of principals is running for President, Vice-President and Executive positions.
This is an unprecedented attempt by a specific interest group to take control of the AEU to progress the interests of principals.
Such a ticket, particularly if supported by Principal Associations, will encourage a vote en bloc by Principals across South Australia, as evidenced by the outcome of the last AEU election in 2005.
A low participation rate in AEU voting by the broad membership will almost certainly see this narrow interest group elected.
That is why past AEU Presidents are calling upon you to make sure your vote counts this election and elect members of executive and of course a president and vice presidents who truly represent all members.
A progressive union that represents the interests of all members is the key to a strong and active union that has a proven track record of successfully promoting public education and improving all members’ working conditions.
(Signed by the following):
Andrew Gohl 2004-2007
John Gregory 1978-1981, 2000-2003
Janet Giles 1996-1999
Clare McCarty 1992-1995
David Tonkin 1988-1991
Leonie Ebert 1982-1983
Really, it’s a bit naughty of Wendy to word her gripe so sloppily, and to include a deliberate fabrication in quotation marks as though it really represented the views of six past Presidents from 1978 to the present (excluding the Liberal Jackson).
“Whatever you do, don’t vote for any principals at the nest election”????
Then why would we stand primary principal Marcus Knill as Male Vice-President and Area School principal Mick Braham for Executive on our ticket?
So people won’t vote for them?
Sloppy, Wendy, sloppy!
Teasdale-Smith’s piece followed on from a similar gripe by current executive member and primary principal Katrina Spencer that was pasted onto the Secondary Principals Association chatline by Phil Goldman.
Here is principal Mick Braham’s considered response to Spencer:
The email from Katrina Spencer and posted by Philip Goldman regarding the AEU elections cannot go without a response.
I understood that SASPA Executive determined they would not support any group in the AEU elections. I commend that stance. The AEU does not involve itself in anyway in Association elections and nor should Associations in AEU elections (I make a clear distinction here between associations and members of those associations). However, since a one-sided point of view has been posted on the chat-line, I felt it was important to respond to the email to give an alternative insight.
Firstly, to Katrina's comments, supported by Phil:
1) I do not concur that leaders are poorly represented in the AEU. It's easy to sit back and criticise, but as an active member of the AEU Band 3 Consultative Committee, it has been evident to me that the AEU is highly committed at improving the conditions for its leaders. As our Association can attest to, achieving "wins" with the employer (with the might of a State Government) is not easy. Marcus Knill as Vice President and Ken Drury as Band 3 Organiser are highly committed to AEU leaders in schools.
2) The letter sent to members by past AEU Presidents does not in any way "speak against" Principals. Three of the five past presidents who signed the letter were principals, one still is and another was recently thanked by the Secondary Principals Association for working pro bono in retirement to resist the education cuts. All were teachers, and proud of it. Together, they offer a wide range of perspectives. This group of past presidents is not against Principals and school leaders. They have a history of effective advocacy in the interests of all members, including principals and school leaders. They do not in their letter say who they endorse. They encourage a vote in the interests of ALL members. As one, they are merely making a point that there are two groups or "tickets" seeking election. One ticket is comprised almost totally of principals and deputies, predominantly primary, and the other represents all AEU members, including primary, including leaders, including secondary, and reflects that in its make up.
Privately, they may endorse a range of candidates representing all members, including principals and school leaders. That is why, amongst a group including a primary teacher for President, Correna Haythorpe, and Marcus Knill for Vice President, I have been endorsed for Executive. Marcus was Principal at Kimba Area School and Assistant Principal at Roxby Downs Area School before becoming AEU Vice President. I am currently the Principal at Cleve Area School and have spent the last 13 years in leadership positions.
In the previous two years, Marcus Knill has convened the AEU Secondary Education Committee to develop papers on the future of public senior secondary schooling in SA and response to the SACE Review. He has formed an AEU/DECS Future SACE Implementation Group and has held several AEU Future SACE forums, including one here in Whyalla. Who will provide this leadership in the AEU from the principals' ticket for Secondary curriculum?
Correna Haythorpe is currently the AEU Women's Officer. She addressed the Band 3 Committee earlier in the year and it was clear that she is committed to representing all members including school leaders.
Finally, I agree with Phil's concluding statement, I believe it is important to have leaders representing ALL AEU members. That's why I will be supporting Correna Haythorpe, Marcus Knill and the Progressive Educators ticket for the next crucial two years as we enter a new enterprise bargaining period.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Where Has Katrina Spencer Been?
The Statement
A quote from Executive member and Primary Principal Katrina Spencer which has infiltrated Principal Association chat-lines: “Ensuring better representation for leaders was begun by the formation of the Band 3 Committee but still needs active support by leaders at the Executive level. In my years with Band 3 and now on Exec I am still to see a regular report from Band 3 presented or their recommendations forwarded to Exec and then tabled for action.”
Reports from Committees to Executive?
Executive hears reports from Principal Officers from committees on a needs basis. In fact, the President’s report, to which the Vice Presidents contribute, usually comprises the bulk of Executive meetings. “Regular” reports do not exist at Executive from any committee, although reports covering issues of the day from Principal Officers are comprehensive.
The Inconvenient Truth - Executive Consideration of Band 3 Issues
Katrina has insinuated that the Band 3 Committee and Principal Officer of this committee has not brought issues pertaining to Band 3 members to the attention and discussion of Executive.
Here’s a trail of items raised at Executive by Principal Officer Marcus Knill on behalf of this committee:
13/02/06 - Watervale Trial
08/05/06 - Band 3 Classifications
14/08/06 - Band 3 Classifications
11/09/06 - Principal Classifications – Operational Guidelines
23/10/06 - Student Reports: Advice to Principals
13/11/06 - Implementation of the New SACE
27/11/06 - Part-Time Principal Arrangements
11/12/06 - Part-time Principal Arrangements
12/02/07 - Open Advertisement of Leadership Positions
26/02/07 - Open Advertisement of Leadership Positions
25/06/07 - Watervale Project
President Andrew Gohl has also raised a number of Band 3 issues. The Band 3 CC was also highly influential in supporting the defeat of the BTIT model as presented by DECS in mid-06.
Katrina has been an Executive member for the past two years. The question needs to be asked, “Where has she been?”
Why now?
It is troubling that an Executive member would choose to air personal frustrations of the AEU Band 3 Consultative Committee and its Principal Officer, via a Principal Association chat-line, right in the smack of an AEU election. Katrina has had two years as an Executive member to raise these concerns, either at Executive, with Marcus Knill as Vice President directly, or with Ray Marino as Chair of the Committee.
A quote from Executive member and Primary Principal Katrina Spencer which has infiltrated Principal Association chat-lines: “Ensuring better representation for leaders was begun by the formation of the Band 3 Committee but still needs active support by leaders at the Executive level. In my years with Band 3 and now on Exec I am still to see a regular report from Band 3 presented or their recommendations forwarded to Exec and then tabled for action.”
Reports from Committees to Executive?
Executive hears reports from Principal Officers from committees on a needs basis. In fact, the President’s report, to which the Vice Presidents contribute, usually comprises the bulk of Executive meetings. “Regular” reports do not exist at Executive from any committee, although reports covering issues of the day from Principal Officers are comprehensive.
The Inconvenient Truth - Executive Consideration of Band 3 Issues
Katrina has insinuated that the Band 3 Committee and Principal Officer of this committee has not brought issues pertaining to Band 3 members to the attention and discussion of Executive.
Here’s a trail of items raised at Executive by Principal Officer Marcus Knill on behalf of this committee:
13/02/06 - Watervale Trial
08/05/06 - Band 3 Classifications
14/08/06 - Band 3 Classifications
11/09/06 - Principal Classifications – Operational Guidelines
23/10/06 - Student Reports: Advice to Principals
13/11/06 - Implementation of the New SACE
27/11/06 - Part-Time Principal Arrangements
11/12/06 - Part-time Principal Arrangements
12/02/07 - Open Advertisement of Leadership Positions
26/02/07 - Open Advertisement of Leadership Positions
25/06/07 - Watervale Project
President Andrew Gohl has also raised a number of Band 3 issues. The Band 3 CC was also highly influential in supporting the defeat of the BTIT model as presented by DECS in mid-06.
Katrina has been an Executive member for the past two years. The question needs to be asked, “Where has she been?”
Why now?
It is troubling that an Executive member would choose to air personal frustrations of the AEU Band 3 Consultative Committee and its Principal Officer, via a Principal Association chat-line, right in the smack of an AEU election. Katrina has had two years as an Executive member to raise these concerns, either at Executive, with Marcus Knill as Vice President directly, or with Ray Marino as Chair of the Committee.
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