If I hadn't gone to private school...

[doodab]

I can only speak from my own experiences. I know lovely working class people who want the best for their kids, but don't think that education is important. e.g. my exes parents who couldn't understand why I wanted to go to college. "You don't want to bother with all that - I never got no O levels and it ain't done me no harm. Get yourself a job in a shop."

This is probably because they have fallen for the stories told by those who like to argue "anyone can succeed" based on a few anecdotal examples. Take Lisa's examples here, for example. Alan Sugar and Richard Branson both left school at 16, and the other guy never made it that far.

[doodab]

My point is that it's not background or poverty that excludes people from better state schools - it's the length the parents are prepared to go to. Giving people money to choose their own schools isn't going to change that - ambitious parents (of whatever class) will do what it takes, others will go to the local school regardless.

For many it's a question of practicality. If both parents have to work to make ends meet there is simply less parental time available. Another reason economic inequality is passed on from generation to generation.

[mudskipper]

For many it's a question of practicality. If both parents have to work to make ends meet there is simply less parental time available. Another reason economic inequality is passed on from generation to generation.

But giving vouchers to pay for the school of choice isn't going to change that.

[doodab]

But giving vouchers to pay for the school of choice isn't going to change that.

I know. It's isn't going to make all schools excellent either.

[doodab]

So do you think that all children should go to university, and regardless of how dim and indolent, be well enough taught to come out with a good degree? How then do you differentiate when entering the real world?

Presumably we'll have recruitment agents to do it for us

[mudskipper]

I know. It's isn't going to make all schools excellent either.

So we're all agreed. Except dodgy.

[doodab]

There's nothing stopping all but the truly illiterate from hearing their kids read, supervising homework and generally ensuring their kids achieve their best.

And innumerate. A shocking proportion of the population are fundamentally unable to help their kids with maths homework.

What the research says | National Numeracy

[doodab]

So we're all agreed. Except dodgy.

I think he needs special vouchers for a special school.

[mudskipper]

I'm not altogether surprised.

In one class we were discussing with the esteemed customers how you multiplied 249 by 13 (or some such).

Expected to see the usual 100s, tens & units approach, followed by a bit of simple addition.

Instead of that the esteemed customers produced some weird thing using a table of numbers & diagonals that I still can't get my head around.

I think we're all doomed.

Grid method multiplication - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

It's wot my kids learnt. Now they just use calculators.

But it's a good point - even the numerate parents struggle to help because the methods have changed. Teaching them the method you learnt just adds to the confusion.

[doodab]

Grid method multiplication - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

It's wot my kids learnt. Now they just use calculators.

But it's a good point - even the numerate parents struggle to help because the methods have changed. Teaching them the method you learnt just adds to the confusion.

I showed my 6 year old Mathematica. I think that was probably a mistake. At least he thinks computers are interesting now.