Raising standards for all in education without jeopardising Scottish traditions of equity of access is the theme of a 2-day conference to be held at the University of Aberdeen between 10-11 September 1999.
The event heralds the start of new phase of collaboration between the University and Northern College of Education. The two institutions, together with the University of Dundee, have submitted to the Scottish Executive a proposal to merge in August 2000. Staff in Aberdeen have worked together to organise an event which will demonstrate to education professionals in the area what the proposed new Faculty of Education in the University of Aberdeen will offer by way of stimulating and supporting professional debate and development.
Co-Director of the University’s Centre for Education Research, Mrs Janet Shucksmith said: “This is a critical time for education, with the Government placing so much emphasis on its ability both to transform people’s lives and to build the country’s potential for growth.
“At the conference we have teachers and community educators coming together alongside their local authority officers to debate how boys and girls can be encouraged to prosper equally, and how we can avoid the consequences for some children and young people being excluded – intentionally or otherwise – from the education they need to help them prosper as citizens.
“We will be reviewing critically the Government’s policies on issues like target setting to see how they can promote achievement for all, and examining new advances in technology to see how they can enhance effective learning.”
Professor Mary Simpson of Northern College indicated that a key aim of the courses of the College was to ensure that teachers are empowered to be masters of their own practice. The involvement of professional practice through enquiry is the means to achieve this and is a permeating theme of the Conference.
Key note speeches will be given by two experts in the field. Professor Sally Brown, Vice Principal of the University of Stirling and Professor of Education will talk about The Benefits and Limitations of Teacher Research. Professor Lindsay Paterson, University of Edinburgh, will give his views on Social Capital, Scottish Philosophy and Democratic Renewal.
Mrs Shucksmith added: “We are hearing a lot today about how the activities of professional groups like doctors and teachers should be evidence driven.
“Part of the battle to achieve this is to get people in a position where they can read and interpret research and perhaps undertake some exploration of their own practice.
“Teachers are keen to move up a gear in terms of professional development but, with all the other pressures on them at the moment, they need support and encouragement to take on this role. We hope the conference will provide that.”
The full conference title is “Equity, Equality and Achievement: a conference for those interested in raising standards for all in Scottish education”. The venue is the King’s College Conference Centre, University of Aberdeen and it beings at 1.45pm on 10 September.