Chris Menzies' letter (15.7.10) and those following it clearly sit within a highly politicised debate. Unfortunately, in adopting entrenched positions, it seems unlikely that either "side" of the debate will now give the other any quarter.
As a parent, I find that disappointing. With three primary school-age children, my objective (and I suspect the objective of the majority of parents) is simply to see them reach their potential.
Their most recent reports referenced against the National Standards do, from my perspective, provide more information on their strengths and weaknesses than has previously been provided. That seems to me to be a good thing.
Are there some issues with what standard they are being assessed against and how those standards have been set? Yes. However, my concern is that because the debate has become so polarised, neither group will now have much interest in sensibly addressing those issues.
Instead, it seems likely Education Minister Anne Tolley will maintain a defensive position and uphold all aspects of the standards for fear any concession will be seized upon by opponents; the education profession will do likewise, pointing at the flaws in the system as evidence that it should be scrapped in its entirety.
That approach doesn't help anyone. What would help is a call to halt the rhetoric and engage in some constructive dialogue on all sides to achieve the best outcomes for our children.
Lauren Semple
St Clair
This week's winner is Lauren Semple, of St Clair, for her letter on the need to put children first in the debate over national standards in education, published on Wednesday.
She receives a copy of Craig Cliff's A Man Melting, Random House, $29.99.
