Informed Scotland July/August 2017 – Shortages, statistics, participation & perceptions
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We’ve become used to holiday season being as busy as the rest of the year for learning & skills. 2017 was no different, with teacher shortages and recruitment one of the hottest topics making the headlines.
As usual at this time of year the digest is packed with statistics, research studies, surveys and exam results. There are numerous reports worth delving into, including:
- the first triennial review of widening access from the Scottish Funding Council
- an initial report from the International Council of Education Advisers on schools in Scotland
- the third annual Participation Measure for 16–19 year-olds from Skills Development Scotland
- and the annual education and skills survey from CBI/Pearson.
Two interesting reports explore ‘perceptions’. One, by HEPI and Unite Students, compares university applicants’ expectations to the reality of student experience. The other, by Education & Employers Research, looks at the views of primary teachers on the impact of business engagement on pupils’ academic achievement.
Alongside many new courses, centres, websites and resources, the somewhat controversial new Scottish National Standardised Assessments kicked off for pupils in P1, P4, P7 and S3, a new National Film & Television School Scotland was announced, and an innovative new Future Talent career management service opened at Dundee and Angus College. Sadly, the MAKlab design and prototype studio that had been supporting technology education went into liquidation.
Great feedback about the 2017 Organisations & People Special from a new subscriber: ‘This is super useful.’
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