The Scottish Educational Journal EIS Manifesto Party line? March 07 Vol.91 Setting priorities Find out where Issue No. 02 for education. the political parties stand. SEJ Be informed. Make Vote for the right choice for education on 3 May. Sepecidal foucus ocn thae Scotttisih oelectnions p08 Comment Election race V0ote 8for too close to call As Scotland’s political parties jockey for education position in the run up to this year’s Holyrood Special focus on the Scottish elections. and local government elections, only one thing is certain: it will be a very close race. Opinion polls have shown that no party has an overwhelming lead in the run to form Scotland’s next devolved government. As the race builds up to a conclusion over the next six weeks, each political party will be attempting to win the hearts and minds of voters with enticing policies on the key devolved issues for 1High0 lighting Scotland – health, transport, social justice, industry, tourism and, of course, education. EIS education Education is one of the largest devolved areas of priorities responsibility for the Scottish Parliament, with a huge amount of public investment and an even greater level of public interest. Each of the parties know that getting their policies and priorities for education right will be essential to gaining support at the ballot box on May 3rd. The EIS has already announced its own key education priorities for the coming elections – class sizes, pupil indiscipline, nursery education, and further and higher 14 education. We have been campaigning actively on these Political priorities, and will continue to do so throughout the parties have election campaign. The EIS Manifesto for Education, and mini-manifestos on our four priorities, have already their say been published and are being distributed at a local and national level. We believe that Scotland’s politicians cannot afford to ignore the opinions of teachers, lecturers, parents and students on the key issues for Scottish education. In this issue of the SEJ, we focus on the election campaign and examine each of the EIS priority areas in depth. We also talk to education spokespersons for each 18 of the main parties, and ask for their thoughts on each CPD update of the EIS priorities. You can find the party responses in A look at developments the election coverage pages of this SEJ. across Scotland Every vote will count in this election race, so this is an ideal time to find out about the education policies of your local candidate and to press them on the issues H that matter to you and to Scottish education. Voter B 6 turnout will play a huge part in this election, and 3 H the EIS is encouraging as many people as possible E , Special features to exercise their right to vote and influence policy for h g the next four years. A major EIS advertising campaign r Viewpoint - u – previewed in this issue and set to be rolled out b n Internal assessment 22 i d across the country soon – will highlight the importance k E u . Obituary - of education and call on all those eligible to turn out , g e r c and cast their vote for education. o . Wolseley Brown 23 a l s i P e y The Scottish Parliament and local government @ a j r e o elections will have a major influence on the shape s : Regular features of Scottish education for the next four years and M E 6 1 4 News 04 beyond. Please do your part – read our election : 5 , r R coverage and the EIS manifesto, find out what each 1 o Council News 07 3 O t i of the political parties has to offer, then cast your 0 T d I EIS Contacts 24 2 E vote for whichever party shares your hopes for our 2 D J 1 Crossword 27 E education system. It’s important for Scottish education E 3 S 1 Sudoku 28 that we all have our say. E e 0 H h : T T Recipes 29 F Letters 30 Educational Institute of Scotland 3 s New EIS President and Vice President elected for 2007/08 w Nominations for the election of the next EIS President and Vice-President have now closed. With only one candidate e being nominated in each category, the new President and Vice-President for 2007/08 have been elected unopposed. Kirsty Devaney David Drever The new President for 2007/08 The new Vice-President for N will be Kirsty Devaney, who is a 2007/08 will be David Drever prominent member of the EIS from Orkney Local Association. Both Ms Devaney and Mr Drever Further Education Lecturers’ Mr Drever is a long-time EIS will formally take up their new Association, a long-time national activist and National Council posts at the EIS AGM in June, EIS Council member, and a member. He is also an English when current National President lecturer at Dundee College. teacher and deputy headteacher Peter Quigley will also move into Ms Devaney, who is currently at Kirkwall Grammar school in the post of immediate Past- serving as EIS Vice-President, will Orkney. Mr Drever is currently President. be the first EIS National President representing the EIS nationally to be elected from the Further on the Ministerial Working Group Education Sector. on class sizes. University of Aberdeen and EIS announce partnership Teachers across Scotland are set to benefit under a partnership e v agreed between the University of Aberdeen and the EIS. i y t t a he two institutions will Jack Barnett, past President involve local teams comprised of i l n s a i work together to provide of the EIS and a former graduate University tutors, EIS Learning r g n e professional learning and of the University, said: “We want Representatives and Chartered a o v i i Tdevelopment opportunities a partnership with Aberdeen Teachers who will help teachers s m n i s for teachers. They will work because it is a University which plan their CPD pathways. U e d together to develop a menu is prepared to take forward the f ” . a o n of courses, conferences and continuing professional Myra Pearson, Head of the r h a s University of Aberdeen’s p i c research opportunities development agenda for teachers e r t designed to meet the needs in an innovative and imaginative School of Education, said g v a i i n e of primary and secondary way, with the emphasis on the partnership would bring t i e s a significant benefits to teachers. u s teachers at different stages practical action research.” e v r u n in their careers. o i a t n “It will support teachers in the n The partnership will focus c n o n e early stages of their careers and i d on four key areas – Inclusion, i o b t n c A Curriculum for Excellence, help them focus their continuing a c l n n r a professional development e a Leadership and Management, e e l h h activities in a coherent fashion.” e and Mentoring and Coaching – t n a t i u d c which will allow teachers to S r i d t s Mr Barnett added: “It is the view t e r e pursue their particular areas r n t c b a e of the EIS that supporting the a e of professional interest. a A w K h d r professional development of i r : c p s h o o teachers – at whatever stage of a The EIS is discussing a t e t f o i e r n number of similar partnership their career they might be – is h t e P o w P agreements with other absolutely central to our aim of k r s S p a o i I Scottish universities. The first promoting sound learning and i f t s E h EIS partnership is with the providing a world class quality a a o s r h t r educational system in Scotland.” d University of Paisley where e p e n d Charter Teacher courses are m n e e m r The first EIS-University of t delivered on a partnership basis. g r e r o a f Aberdeen joint conference is a a e , p t p Across the North of Scotland planned for Saturday 19th May t h e t n t r and will focus on Enhancing a a network of support for e e p n t Inclusive Practice. It will take h teachers will now be established m r t s n i place in the School of Education, i a to complement professional p a o w B development opportunities and University of Aberdeen. h l w Myra Pearson, Head of the School , c e (See facing page) k of Education, University of Aberdeen and guidance already offered by local i e y v c a h Jack Barnett, former EIS President. authorities and schools. This will e a W J w d w “ 4 Scottish Educational Journal March 07 EIS Learning Reps influencing education policy making IS Learning important developments for the Representatives should teaching profession in Scotland”. influence education policy Emaking, Matthew Maciver, Speaking of the developing CPD “there’s a Chief Executive of the General agenda in Scotland Mr Maciver lack of clarity Teaching Council for Scotland warned of the dangers of CPD of thought in (GTCS) told a meeting of meeting only school needs and Matthew Maciver the current Learning Representatives local authority needs.