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Former test chief hits out at academic selection
Monday, 22 February 2010
The man who oversaw the setting and marking of the 11-plus tests for 10 years in Northern Ireland has written a book setting out his opposition to academic selection.
Dr Alastair Walker retired in 2004 from his position as Head of Education Services for the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA).
In his book — Selection Challenged — Dr Walker said it was difficult for him to accept responsibility for the tests taken by P7 pupils given his long-standing personal opposition to selection.
Writing for today’s Belfast Telegraph he explained that he began the writing project with the aim of setting out the case against retaining selection. And he said that what Northern Ireland does to 10 and 11-year-old children in the name of selection is “unacceptable in terms of the stress that is caused and the loss of self-esteem that some children suffer”.
He criticises the “unilateralist actions” of Education Minister Caitriona Ruane for the “mess” that education is currently in but also hits out at others in Government who he says refuse to co-operate in finding a solution.
The book’s conclusion includes: “Permitting the chaos of unregulated selection is unacceptable even if it is viewed as a step towards a worthy goal.”
And: “Moving in a single lurch from a selective to a non-selective system, without undertaking all of the changes needed to make the process successful, would have had a terrible impact on the education of tens of thousands of children.”
And he stresses that there is an urgent need to agree on a way forward that has cross-community agreement.
In his piece for today’s Telegraph, Dr Walker writes: “I am convinced that there is no testing system in existence that is capable of taking two quite average children and predicting reliably that, over the next five years, one will benefit from a grammar school place while the other will not.
“It is absurd that we are even making the attempt.
“It is also worth remembering that the hurdle itself is set at different heights for different schools. Postcodes are as important as grades in our present system in determining who gets into grammar schools.”
He said that grammar schools are currently serving 40% of our community well.
“Transformed into excellent all-ability schools they would serve 100% of our community every bit as well,” he claimed.
”We already have a number of first-class all-ability schools. We know they work. We do not need selection with all of the trauma and stress that accompany it.”
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Comments
25 Comments
What has bigotry got to do with transferring children to grammar school. At what point did I ever mention religion. You certainly have lost the plot "exasperated".
Please check the opinion of the Head Teacher of Rockport. This is probably the most "educated" and sensible opinion that I have read in years. And that includes all your postings on social injustice.
So where would you like to be teaching when this scenario happens then.........
Posted by SM | 03.03.10, 19:53 GMT
I thought I did..... maybe information coming from anywhere but DENI doesn't exist then.
Posted by SM | 03.03.10, 13:19 GMT
SM
PACE have read and are preparing an in-depth review of the Alistair Walker book, Selection Challenged.
Page 11 offers the following quote
"The Qualifying Examination (11-plus) is an easy object to criticise provided the critic is not obliged to find some substitute for it"
No substitute for the 11-plus from Ruane, Cardinal Brady, Gavin Boyd, Tony Gallagher or the former Head of Education Services at CCEA.
Perhaps Exasperated will outline his substitute to help these people out?
Posted by Parental Alliance for Choice in Education | 03.03.10, 09:17 GMT
sm proudly proclaims "I also have no intention of reading Dr Walkers book" Truman Capote would be so proud, what with your ability to criticize that which you have not read.
It is so much easier to criticize without researching isn’t it; it prevents all sorts of awkward questions being raised!
So there will be no dispassionate weighing of evidence for good old Northern Ireland from now on. Lets look forward to ignorance, prejudice, bias and ingrained bigotry after all it has served us so well to date……
Posted by Exasperated | 02.03.10, 20:35 GMT
Ian | 26.02.10, 16:48 GMT:
Do you also oppose A Levels then? They are examinations used to determine whether students are suited to university, like the Transfer Test is used to determine whether pupils are suited to grammar schools. I'm aware the ages of pupils involved are totally different, but if you think the Transfer Test is absolutely useless at predictions, then I wouldn't think you could turn around and say that A Levels were actually great at making predictions.
Surely sitting an academic test, testing your understanding of your studies is a good reflection on how well you understand academic concepts, which is necessary for study at a grammar school?
And anyway, if academic selection wasn't used, it would end up being postcode or income determining who attends which schools. And that definitely is less fair than using a non-biased examination result.
Posted by David | 02.03.10, 18:52 GMT
sm, still playing the man I see.....
You state that I have "ridicule (d) others on their personal experiences on different links", just where exactly?
I have ridiculed a self appointed, unelected apologist who claims to represent parents; NOT for his personal experiences but for his gall! (Indeed I made this point in a post).
This individual (representing PACENI) has been challenged to substantiate the claims HE makes on MY behalf (and on behalf of, he would say, many other parents).
To date readers will note no substantiating research or data has been forthcoming.
Play the data, argument and conclusion NOT the man sm.
Posted by Exasperated | 02.03.10, 14:06 GMT
And another thing Exasperated...
You are delivering excellence to those in your charge.......If you stood by your convictions and continued to seek social justice, then why don't you do it in a secondary school.....Oh thats right, because you are giving excellence to those that have been educationally syphoned off. Thats a bit two faced. To ridicule others on their personal experiences on different links also strikes a bit liking playing the man also. So I say if the boot fits....
I also have no intention of reading Dr Walkers book because that would mean giving him money he doesn't need.
You have been crusading for months basing your arguments on the same DENI info without acknowledging the state of the education system in the UK. Then we find out that the Dept has been with-holding info on surveys for 18 months that state 60% of the population want Selection.
Posted by SM | 01.03.10, 19:00 GMT
And now, just for you sm:-
"Ethics (also known as moral philosophy) is a branch of philosophy which seeks to address questions about morality; that is, about concepts such as good and bad, right and wrong, justice, and virtue."
Dr Walker, and others (including the entire Catholic Church in Ireland), have made a decision based on data about 'Academic selection'; this information leads them to believe that such 'selection' is morally wrong, unjust and generally A BAD THING.
Since you raised the question of 'ethics' sm lets debate it. Please correct Dr Walker and the Catholic Church; just where did they 'get it wrong?'
Posted by Exasperated | 01.03.10, 15:55 GMT
sm. I may be a 'grammar school teacher' delivering excellence to those in my charge, but I am also entitled to MY opinion.
It is sad you again resort to 'playing the man not the ball'.
Please have an adult debate, criticising my data, analysis and/or conclusion.
You have not attacked Dr Walker’s data; you have not critiqued his analysis and neither have you challenged his conclusion.
I am beginning to think you have not read his book (available from www.colourpoint.co.uk).
Now what sort of a numpty adopts a position without the facts?
So far your counter arguments fall into the 'Yea well what about....' school of rhetoric.
My Professional Opinion as a Grammar Teacher: “Can do better……”
Posted by Exasperated | 01.03.10, 15:46 GMT
Cue the Grammar school teacher biting the hand that feeds them, Exasperated..........
As I said, it is all about ethics. If you don't like the system then why are you there. Or don't hide behind a pseudonym.....
And yes I have a problem with someone who happily presided over a system for 10 years that they were happy to deride once they retired...
Lets hope this post isn't censored by BT like my previous one.
Posted by SM | 01.03.10, 13:38 GMT
SM says "I will leave it to the rest of you to choose for yourself to judge this man"
Didn’t some bloke about 2000 years ago warn about passing judgement on one another?
Interesting contributors still are attacking the messenger and not engaging with his argument.
There has been no counter argument, data or research deployed by pro selection lobbyists.
Nope, just more personal attacks on someone acknowledged to have done a good job!
Sad.
Posted by Exasperated | 27.02.10, 11:24 GMT
"I am convinced that there is no testing system in existence that is capable of taking two quite average children and predicting reliably that, over the next five years, one will benefit from a grammar school place while the other will not."
Well said Dr Walker, if only more people in this country had an ounce of common sense we would be serving all our children's education properly
Posted by Ian | 26.02.10, 16:48 GMT
If you were opposed to giving people cancer, would you work in a cigarette factory.
If you were opposed to creating people with alcohol problems, would you work in a drinks factory.
If you were opposed to killing people from a distance with sophisticated munitions, would you work for a missile manufacturer.
It is all about ethics, and I will leave it to the rest of you to choose for yourself to judge this man . ....And as the saying goes "You don't bite the hand that feeds you". That is why Mr McClean is quite happy to put his name to his posts
Posted by SM | 24.02.10, 22:00 GMT
Exasperated | 24.02.10, 15:32
Good to hear from you again Exasperated and there was I thinking that maybe exam marking pressure, coursework and class preparation was finally getting to you!
.....Not long now again before the old alarm goes off in the morning, to pull yourself out of a warm bed and do it all again! I'll be thinking about you. You're all heroes at the chalk or whiteboard face in my book!
Posted by T J McClean | 24.02.10, 17:06 GMT
TJ you say "his credibility remains in question".
His Credibility as what? You already concede he did a good job as Head of Education Services for the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA)!
I am sorry if Dr Walker has not lived up to your high moral standard; perhaps in a perfect world people should not have to compromise their personal opinions to gain work.
However this is not a perfect world and everyone has to make compromises to some extent!
I am disappointed critics have taken the cheap and easy option of "attacking the messenger" rather than critiquing his argument.
Posted by Exasperated | 24.02.10, 15:32 GMT
Exasperated 24.02.10
Your position is different. You did not wait until 6 years after you retired to voice your concerns. You speak your mind on academic selection. I have no problem with that but even as a respected teacher, your influence and ability to change things beyond the school gate is minimal. Your resignation gesture of defiance, would make absolutely no difference.
Dr Walker was not just an ordinary teacher. For years he was in a key position of power and authority over the very thing he detested. His resignation from the role of presiding over the 11+, or his strong continued criticism of it from within, would most certainly have sent shock-waves throughout the educ. establishment and in so doing helped create a suitable environment for debate and change.
As I said before I think your approach would have been very different if you had been in the job.
ps I'm sure he did a good job but for me and many others his credibility remains in question.
Sorry.
Posted by T J McClean | 24.02.10, 13:22 GMT
TJ I abhor academic selection, it is educationally unsound, morally repugnant and socially damaging.
However, by chance, the first job I was offered as a teacher was in a Grammar school.
I have consistently achieved excellent results, with my pupils outperforming others in NI, the UK and further a field. I am proud of my hard work and my pupils.
Now you are telling me I should have refused this work?
Should I resign now?
Should anyone in education who disagrees with the current state also resign (that would be almost every teacher in NI)?
It is apparent that Dr Walker did a ‘good job’ while in post, he was professional and efficient, as you would expect.
To attack him now because he has expressed his own opinion is crass.
I would have more respect if pro academic selection lobbyists could engage in a dispassionate debate with Dr Walker’s and challenge his facts with counter arguments.
It's so much easier "playing the man and not the ball."
Posted by Exasperated | 24.02.10, 09:24 GMT
Exasperated | 23.02.10, 15:13
p.s. Exasperated
The other points I made in my post have been in my opinion unfairly censored out by the Tele. I do not know why. They were not rude and not contain bad language or name-calling. They merely expressed an opinion. They involved questions of credibility, hypocrisy, principle and conviction. No doubt this post will be censored as well.
Posted by T J McClean | 24.02.10, 08:58 GMT
Exasperated | 23.02.10, 15:13
'Look he had a job in CCEA.'
That's right Exasperated he had a job in CCEA and a huge chunk of it, involving thousands of children each year, would have been delivering the 11+, something that he now tells us he abhorred! Yet interestingly went on playing his part!
His role can hardly be dismissed as a mere aspect of his job! It must by it's very nature have occupied a great deal of his time and energy!
.
He should have stepped aside from such a role. I could never see you doing such a thing, aspect of the job or not!
Posted by T J McClean | 23.02.10, 20:16 GMT
Exasperated obviously sings off the same sheet as Dr Walker but I just hope he doesn't do an important job just for the money and not because he has any enthusiasum for it. It looks like Dr Walker is just jumping on the band wagon with a controversial book which he knows will get attention because of his former job.
Posted by rm | 23.02.10, 18:34 GMT
25 Comments