Lessons from Scottish SchoolsWhy Knowledge Matters
£19.99
About this book
Uses Scotland’s educational system as case study of the importance of knowledge in the curriculum
- Explores the decline in attainment in Scottish school education in the last twenty-five years
- Compares the present with Scotland’s strong educational reputation in the past
- Compares Scotland to a range of other countries including England, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Poland, Singapore, Sweden
- Argues that the most student-centred kind of education is one that is based on knowledge
This book highlights the role of knowledge in school education. It shows that while the Scottish education system used to be among the strongest in Europe, its students’ attainment has dropped in recent years. The book argues that the clue to this decline is the new curriculum which has been in place for two decades. Lindsay Paterson notes the commendable aims of this approach, which includes working across subject boundaries, application of learning to real-world problems and focusing on creativity and citizenship.
Studying Scotland’s strong educational reputation in the past and comparing it to other countries, such as Estonia, Singapore, Ireland and Japan, Paterson argues that the most student-centred education is one that is based on knowledge. This is key to students’ understanding, to their personal fulfilment, to their successful careers, and to their ability to make a worthwhile contribution to society.
Reviews
Lindsay Paterson meticulously builds a compelling narrative of Scotland’s troubled educational trajectory, providing deep insights into the erosion of policy and practices which had for centuries brought enhanced attainment and equity. International in its scope, its forensic analysis provides not only vital correctives to educational debates, but strong guidance for public policy development and management. It is a huge contribution to educational thought and practice.
It is commendably short, fewer than 250 pages, with arguments backed up by facts, academic critique, and historical analysis. To sum up, but hopefully not oversimplify, Paterson’s case is that knowledge, once the bedrock of education, has been replaced by an ineffective quest for acquiring skills.
His book is beautifully written, cogent in its structure and progression and lucid in its prose. It is astonishingly well researched ... and it all simply makes sense... I urge you to read Lindsay Paterson's book - he knows his stuff; he is the expert; let him teach you.
Table of contents
List of Figures
Preface
Acknowledgements
1. What has happened to Scottish education?
2. The academic tradition
3. Reform and decline
4. Successes and failures of curricular policy worldwide
5. Countries that have returned to knowledge
6. Structured knowledge
7. Useful knowledge
8. The future of Scottish schools
Appendix: data and statistical methods
Bibliography
Index