Comments on: Talented – Chopper Tolley will Axe Your Funding http://blog.labour.org.nz/2009/06/08/talented-tolley-will-cut-your-funding/ A blog written by Labour MPs Sun, 12 Feb 2012 01:09:40 +1300 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Linda http://blog.labour.org.nz/2009/06/08/talented-tolley-will-cut-your-funding/comment-page-2/#comment-10700 Linda Thu, 17 Sep 2009 23:53:10 +0000 http://blog.labour.org.nz/?p=604#comment-10700 With respect Susan, having children in a class requiring significant modification to the standard programme (be it extension or simplification) costs in terms of teacher time and some resources. If the teacher is not trained pre-service to provide for significant differences (as required, NAG1) and PD or advisors are not available through state-funded sources, then the cost falls to the school or parent. The school should not need to 'trick' the system to fulfill requirements set by that system! With respect Susan, having children in a class requiring significant modification to the standard programme (be it extension or simplification) costs in terms of teacher time and some resources. If the teacher is not trained pre-service to provide for significant differences (as required, NAG1) and PD or advisors are not available through state-funded sources, then the cost falls to the school or parent. The school should not need to ‘trick’ the system to fulfill requirements set by that system!

]]> By: susan http://blog.labour.org.nz/2009/06/08/talented-tolley-will-cut-your-funding/comment-page-2/#comment-7614 susan Sun, 23 Aug 2009 23:38:46 +0000 http://blog.labour.org.nz/?p=604#comment-7614 The main issue with G&T is not the funding but flexibility. From our own personal experiences parents had little choice except for the lucky ones who could afford to go out side what the state offered. Educating a gifted child costs no more than a normal child. No special equipment is required. Teacher training (if it is done!) will cost no more. What we found is that the state system forced a 'one solution for all' where no two gifted children are the same. We managed to find a gifted headmaster who understood our children's needs, and largely met them, by 'tricking' the system. If there was flexibility, ie could choose you local school and schools could organise themselves around their pupil's needs, many of the issues would go away. This does not cost money! The main issue with G&T is not the funding but flexibility. From our own personal experiences parents had little choice except for the lucky ones who could afford to go out side what the state offered. Educating a gifted child costs no more than a normal child. No special equipment is required. Teacher training (if it is done!) will cost no more. What we found is that the state system forced a ‘one solution for all’ where no two gifted children are the same. We managed to find a gifted headmaster who understood our children’s needs, and largely met them, by ‘tricking’ the system. If there was flexibility, ie could choose you local school and schools could organise themselves around their pupil’s needs, many of the issues would go away. This does not cost money!

]]> By: Linda http://blog.labour.org.nz/2009/06/08/talented-tolley-will-cut-your-funding/comment-page-2/#comment-7132 Linda Tue, 18 Aug 2009 09:25:16 +0000 http://blog.labour.org.nz/?p=604#comment-7132 OMG, they chopped the jobs of all those professional people (who often worked a lot more hours just on goodwill) based on a draft report of someone who was ill! OMG, they chopped the jobs of all those professional people (who often worked a lot more hours just on goodwill) based on a draft report of someone who was ill!

]]> By: Trevor Mallard http://blog.labour.org.nz/2009/06/08/talented-tolley-will-cut-your-funding/comment-page-2/#comment-7062 Trevor Mallard Mon, 17 Aug 2009 23:08:40 +0000 http://blog.labour.org.nz/?p=604#comment-7062 The answer came in this morning. It shows that they have dropped the ball. I will ask a follow up question :- Question: Has the Ministry of Education undertaken a review of initiatives in gifted and talented education; if so, has the review been completed and where is the report available? Portfolio: Education (Associate Minister - H Roy) Minister: Hon Heather Roy Date Lodged:07/08/2009 Answer Text: The Ministry initiated a review of initiatives in gifted and talented education in March 2008. Three key areas of expenditure were identified for the review: the funding used to support The Rising Tides – Nurturing our Gifted Culture conference which was held in August 2006, the Talent Development Initiatives (TDIs) contestable funding pool and the funding used for School Support Services gifted and talented education advisors. An independent contractor was to undertake the review in consultation with the Gifted and Talented Learners ’ Advisory Group.Because of illness, the independent contractor completed only one section of the report (Rising Tides). A second section was received in draft form only (Schools Support Services gifted and talented education advisors). A senior policy analyst from the Ministry carried out a review of the Talent Development Initiatives contestable funding pool. The Ministry planned for a final report across all initiatives to be completed in March 2009. However, planning for Budget 2009 overtook events and a final report was not completed. The answer came in this morning. It shows that they have dropped the ball. I will ask a follow up question :-

Question: Has the Ministry of Education undertaken a review of initiatives in gifted and talented education; if so, has the review been completed and where is the report available?

Portfolio: Education (Associate Minister – H Roy)

Minister: Hon Heather Roy

Date Lodged:07/08/2009

Answer Text: The Ministry initiated a review of initiatives in gifted and talented education in March 2008.

Three key areas of expenditure were identified for the review: the funding used to support The Rising Tides – Nurturing our Gifted Culture conference which was held in August 2006, the Talent Development Initiatives (TDIs) contestable funding pool and the funding used for School Support Services gifted and talented education advisors. An independent contractor was to undertake the review in consultation with the Gifted and Talented Learners ’ Advisory Group.Because of illness, the independent contractor completed only one section of the report (Rising Tides). A second section was received in draft form only (Schools Support Services gifted and talented education advisors). A senior policy analyst from the Ministry carried out a review of the Talent Development Initiatives contestable funding pool.

The Ministry planned for a final report across all initiatives to be completed in March 2009. However, planning for Budget 2009 overtook events and a final report was not completed.

]]> By: Linda http://blog.labour.org.nz/2009/06/08/talented-tolley-will-cut-your-funding/comment-page-1/#comment-7058 Linda Mon, 17 Aug 2009 22:50:42 +0000 http://blog.labour.org.nz/?p=604#comment-7058 It seems that the professionals in the field all endorse advisors to schools as being very worthwhile. http://www.giftednz.org.nz/data/Gifted_Awareness_Week_Letter_to_MPs.pdf I'm just a Mum but I would love to know how the Ministry came to the conclusion that advisors were not delivering system-wide change when ERO seemed to think there was good progress given the time the initiative had been running. Is it just a case of tinkering with things to claim National-led intiatives? It seems that the professionals in the field all endorse advisors to schools as being very worthwhile.
http://www.giftednz.org.nz/data/Gifted_Awareness_Week_Letter_to_MPs.pdf

I’m just a Mum but I would love to know how the Ministry came to the conclusion that advisors were not delivering system-wide change when ERO seemed to think there was good progress given the time the initiative had been running. Is it just a case of tinkering with things to claim National-led intiatives?

]]> By: Linda http://blog.labour.org.nz/2009/06/08/talented-tolley-will-cut-your-funding/comment-page-1/#comment-7054 Linda Mon, 17 Aug 2009 21:27:07 +0000 http://blog.labour.org.nz/?p=604#comment-7054 Associate Minister of Education was supposed to answer Trevor's question for written answer about G&T review yesterday. I guess breath-holding is not a good idea. Associate Minister of Education was supposed to answer Trevor’s question for written answer about G&T review yesterday. I guess breath-holding is not a good idea.

]]> By: Trevor Mallard http://blog.labour.org.nz/2009/06/08/talented-tolley-will-cut-your-funding/comment-page-1/#comment-5926 Trevor Mallard Fri, 07 Aug 2009 19:37:44 +0000 http://blog.labour.org.nz/?p=604#comment-5926 I'd just arrived - saw Le Sud and popped in for the last 15min. Carole seemed to be doing really well. I’d just arrived – saw Le Sud and popped in for the last 15min. Carole seemed to be doing really well.

]]> By: Linda http://blog.labour.org.nz/2009/06/08/talented-tolley-will-cut-your-funding/comment-page-1/#comment-5915 Linda Fri, 07 Aug 2009 10:55:06 +0000 http://blog.labour.org.nz/?p=604#comment-5915 Thanks. I see reference to review in Hon Heather Roy's answer to WTQ 4595 and note that she often includes G&T as part of Special Education in speeches made around the country (last in Invercargill I think). Would also be very interested to know if the 'resources for school (Ministry publications) due out in December' are developed by the -soon to be axed- education advisors (school support contracts). Saw 'Back benchers' - AB's win under Labour govt - nice one! Thanks. I see reference to review in Hon Heather Roy’s answer to WTQ 4595 and note that she often includes G&T as part of Special Education in speeches made around the country (last in Invercargill I think).

Would also be very interested to know if the ‘resources for school (Ministry publications) due out in December’ are developed by the -soon to be axed- education advisors (school support contracts).

Saw ‘Back benchers’ – AB’s win under Labour govt – nice one!

]]> By: Trevor Mallard http://blog.labour.org.nz/2009/06/08/talented-tolley-will-cut-your-funding/comment-page-1/#comment-5663 Trevor Mallard Thu, 06 Aug 2009 05:49:30 +0000 http://blog.labour.org.nz/?p=604#comment-5663 No will chase via wpq. thanks for the reminder. No will chase via wpq. thanks for the reminder.

]]> By: Linda http://blog.labour.org.nz/2009/06/08/talented-tolley-will-cut-your-funding/comment-page-1/#comment-5471 Linda Wed, 05 Aug 2009 07:27:56 +0000 http://blog.labour.org.nz/?p=604#comment-5471 Trevor was going to look into when the Ministerial Review would be complete. Any result yet?? Trevor was going to look into when the Ministerial Review would be complete. Any result yet??

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