Our language of improvement needs to evolve - and fast! 🚀
I recently read an article that sparked a conversation about how our education system's language of improvement is long overdue for a change. While policymakers have slowly begun to shift from a deficit-driven conversation to one of development, are we really ready to embrace this change?
Think about it - back in the 1980s, when the school improvement movement started, the focus on metrics, compliance, and regulation made sense. It drove up outcomes and raised standards. But that was forty years ago. Today, our system needs to step away from just monitoring and inspection and towards fostering creativity, innovation, and development.
Lockdown exposed deep layers of educational disadvantage that conventional schooling struggles to address. The current deficit-focused language frames challenges like pupil absenteeism as attendance issues rather than engagement problems. This different framing could lead to more effective responses.
The recent DfE initiatives, including Bridget Phillipson's new RISE teams, show promise in adopting a more supportive, collaborative language of improvement. This is a step in the right direction, but we need to see more and faster evolution. The sector is crying out for ingenuity, innovation, and a longer-term vision underpinning our approach to education.
Let's not forget - even political dynamics play a part. Sir Keir Starmer's recent comments remind us that rolling back the watchdog state is crucial for aligning with the priorities of the British people. We need education leaders to embrace this new language of improvement, focusing on 21st-century purposes over outdated metrics.
Time will indeed tell if these changes will stick, but let's hope the pressures of political accountability don't overshadow the need for real, smart school support.
Let's keep pushing for a better future for our schools.
🌟 The conversation starts here. What changes do you think are necessary for our education system to evolve effectively? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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