Parents are complaining that the tests are too difficult, but maybe that's because they are the product of lower standards themselves? The 11+ exams in the 60s look like they were much more challenging.
Apparently, in Singapore kids can answer these maths questions with ease and leave school being fluent in 2 languages. How can we get up to their standard unless we measure kids at all ages?
Northern Monkey ... who can't upload a bleeding Avatar
Surely this is the best way to find out which kids need to develop these skills then?
I'm in two minds about this, personally. Yes, it's good to find a level, especially on a macro level but there does seem to be a lot of pressure on the kids. I also dont think we should overlook the fact that the parents were all from the Participant's Medal generation and werent tested hardly at all in education.
Anyway, if you ask me, the sooner they get away from the idea that education or qualifications are a key to a happy, fulfilling and successful life the better they'll be.
The idea of parents taking their kids out of school "on strike" is not only a crazy, middle-class stay-at-home-mum fantasy, it's also a slap in the face to those who fought long and hard for worker's rights, not to mention those who have had them removed.
I think the pressure is caused by the parents and teachers in the first place. Just treat it as a type of game or something, as it obviously won't have any meaningful impact on their future.
There are happy and successful people who don't have a good education or qualifications, but it makes adult life a hell of a lot easier if these kids have them
What age do kids start school in Norway, b. People seem to be shocked here when I tell them we started at 4/5 years old. Even more ridiculous was that when I did the 12+ exam those of us who had started year 1 in September, as opposed to January were handicapped in the results - coz those couple of months 6/7 years earlier were such a difference