What is the most interesting is how well Florida is doing.  Hmm.  Could there be a connection?

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-12-11/u-s-schoolchildren-lag-asian-peers-on-academic-tests.html

Four short videos summarizing TIMSS and PIRLS report.

http://timssandpirls.bc.edu/data-release-2011/index.html#

What is really interesting, another factor that come to light is bullying is impacting achievement of children. No news there, but at least there is a light being shined unto the bullying issues, of which one of them when schools do not provide timely and effective remediation and intervention regarding the 3 Rs, children who are the lower achievers are at high risked for being verbally bullied, insulted and teased for being dumb. More so, when their reading, writing and numeracy struggles are not looked after, and they remained low achievers for the remainder of the K to 12. Just recently, I had to go to the school, to sort out what I thought was a historical issue that was put to bed. How many ways can I person be called stupid? Too many, but the school sorted it out, and the high achieving grade 12 students are back to respecting my child’s abilities and skills. This was the same gang, that started the ball rolling way back in grade 1.

The Global National has a piece on the PIRLS tonight. ” Bullying linked to lower performance in 4th grade reading”

Read it on Global News: National | Bullying linked to lower performance in 4th grade reading
http://www.globalnational.com/bullying+linked+to+lower+performance+in+4th+grade+reading/6442769778/story.html

In Northern Ireland - “NI was the highest ranking English speaking country.”
http://www.northernireland.gov.uk/news-de-111212-publication-of-pirls

Another Ireland report - ““However, I am especially delighted to see that Ireland has a reduced proportion of lower-performing students in reading than other countries.”
On average 5% of students in all countries failed to at least reach the Low Benchmark level in reading and 10% in mathematics; the equivalent proportions in Ireland were only 3% for reading and 6% for mathematics.
“I believe that this is further evidence that our supports for DEIS schools and the special needs resources that we have given to all schools are working,” concluded Minister Quinn.”
http://www.merrionstreet.ie/index.php/2012/12/minister-quinn-welcomes-international-report-showing-irish-primary-students-doing-well-in-reading-maths-and-science/?cat=12

“Australian year four students’ reading skills rank 27th internationally and nearly one in four students have substantial literacy problems, according to a surprising new study that illustrates how difficult it will be for the federal government to lift the school system into the top five globally.”
http://afr.com/p/national/australian_students_get_on_global_3ZvsUhpHrQLqzpGb1Ew4aP

In New Zealand - ““While we have a good education system overall there are persistent signs of under-performance. The findings of these studies must serve as a wakeup call. We cannot take for granted that our overall achievement at the senior end of our system can be maintained if we do not improve the system all the way through.

“Unfortunately these results show that we are either standing still or falling behind in reading, maths and science. We must pay urgent attention to what these studies tell us and tackle some system-wide challenges.”
http://www.voxy.co.nz/politics/more-work-must-be-done-improve-education-outcomes/5/143223

Florida has choice and wonderful intervention and remediation programs for problems in reading, writing and numeracy. A kid like mine, is caught back in kindergarten as one who will have future difficulties. Florida schools practices prevention of future learning problems, rather than what Canadian schools do, wait until the reading problems become a mountain, rather than an ant hill. In essence, Florida have less numbers of LD children going to LD schools, compared to other states with choice. Choice brought on better education quality for the public schools, and in the end better education practices in the classroom.

When I was on the LD blogs and chat forums, I always envied the Florida LD parents. They had so many options at their disposal and it did not matter what income a parent had. Florida is also leap years ahead in online learning. Excellent online learning.

All that said, I wonder what the Canadian education officials will have to say about the reports. Wondering what will be ignore, and will be focus to make it spin of positively rosy outlooks and achievement. And will they looked at bullying in the schools…......

Nothing to brag about here: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/business/Ontario+elementary+students+behind+math+science/7684156/story.html

I guess I am reading this right. Canada is a world leader and Ontario with no charters leads Alberta with charters? Hmmmmm

Actually Joe, Alberta does one thing that Ontario does not - raise the achievement of the low achievers that are at high risk for becoming low achievers. A kid like my child, would be picked up in grade 1, compared to Ontario, where my kid would sit on a waiting list, and that is if the kid qualifies to sit on a waiting list, and get around to doing something when the kid is failing in all cored subjects by grade 6 or so. The only remediation offered is the dumb-down work, and all what I have said, is the earful that I received from Ontario parents in the Niagara District.

Isn’t facebook a wonderful social media tool Joe? Judging from the undercurrents, parents are none too happy with the Ontario public education system, nor the education quality that their children have receiving or are receiving. Its why SQE will plugged along steadily adding members and readers, because its the only web site that offers solid advice, tips and exposes the underbelly of the public education system.

It would not surpirse me to see a number of FB pages popped up in the year 2012, started by parents who are fed up with the public education system.

Below is a teacher that posted on FB, and went viral in the FB world within 24 hours. Don’t see too many teachers exposing themselves to talk about a society problem that irks a great many people. He asked the question of “More and more, we are seeing the detrimental effects of bullying in our school system. These magazines, which are displayed prominently at every checkout, are a very real form of bullying. What’s more, they further perpetuate the idea that women should have flawless bodies, thereby exacerbating the problem of negative body image, particularly among female youths, but also among all sexes and age groups.

As a schoolteacher, how am I to demonstrate to my students the importance of treating others with respect when everywhere they look society is sending a message to the contrary? I shudder at the thought of my teenage students seeing such magazines at your checkouts, only to question their own bodies. “

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152322142980646&set=a.197459500645.253169.818150645&type=1

Would not surprise to see him mentioned on the national media. Why? Rarely do the public see a teacher voiced out loud, that many parents share.

However it is questionable if the collective group of teachers, see it the same way as this individual teacher does.

Do you see autoworkers from GM come forward and say, GM cars are notvery good? No because they would be fired. It is against therules.

Most ps teacher believe in what they are doing,