'What happens in the home impacts on the school' [IrishTimes]
- Published: 11 May 2010
EDUCATION PROFILE: Mary Linehan is a home-school liaison officer who provides a crucial link between the two worlds most important in a child’s life – and the recession means she’s now visiting families who would never have needed her help in the past says GRÁINNE FALLER
‘PARTNERSHIP IS brought about by commitment to the demanding and painful work of human relations.’’ The words of the late Dr Concepta Conaty – founder of the home school liaison scheme – ring in the ears of Mary Linehan as she takes a deep breath and rings the doorbell. Her job as a home-school community liaison co-ordinator is bringing her to bigger houses these days.
Full Story: www.irishtimes.com
How the Finns got it so right [IrishTimes]
- Published: 11 May 2010
The Finnish education system is regarded as the world’s best. But what’s their secret? A visit to Helsinki gave valuable pointers on what can we learn from their success
THE MOST STRIKING aspect of any visit to Finland is how familiar everything appears – both inside and outside the classroom. Finnish schools – like those in Ireland – complain about a lack of resources and about class size. The provision of information technology in schools is still patchy. Schools are functional, sensible places. And here’s another surprise. Finland spends no more than the OECD average on education. But there is nothing average about its performance.Finland is top of the class. In science, Finnish 15 year-olds were ranked first among 56 countries in the latest 2006 OECD survey. In reading literacy, the Finns were second to South Korea (they came first in 2003).
Full Story: www.irishtimes.com
A turn-up for the books as children's laureate unveiled [Independent.ie]
- Published: 11 May 2010
IN ancient Greece, she would have been crowned with a wreath of laurel sprigs in honour of her great achievements.
Instead, award-winning author Siobhan Parkinson yesterday had to make do with a special silver medal when she was announced as Ireland's first laureate for children's literature -- Laureate na nOg.
The country's first champion of children's literature, who has published more than 20 books, will travel the country in a bid to reach a new audience of young readers.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
STILL no decision on maths bonus points [finegael.org]
- Published: 10 May 2010
Leaving Cert students are continuing to lose out as Education Minister Mary Coughlan still refuses to implement bonus points for Leaving Cert Maths Fine Gael Education Spokesman, Brian Hayes TD said today (Monday).
Deputy Hayes made his comments after the Minister sent a letter to college heads urging them to accept students who had failed Higher Level Leaving Cert Maths. At the same time she intimated her support for bonus points for Maths.
Full Story: www.finegael.org
Fewer students opt for honours maths [IrishExaminer]
- Published: 10 May 2010
THE number of students who will take higher level maths in the Leaving Certificate next month is down further on previous years as it has emerged that efforts to reverse the trend could take at least another three years.
Tánaiste and recently-appointed Education Minister Mary Coughlan indicated at Easter that she favours giving bonus points for college entry to students taking the subject to honours level. But she now says it will be up to each university and institute of technology to decide if they wish to do so.
Full Story: www.irishexaminer.com
