Pericles, I concur!
KD's article questions the effectiveness of teacher training & professional development. For those you interested in the reading debate there are success stories which have proven that a thoroughly researched and well implemented literacy program which includes teacher training can provide REAL outcomes for students. Follow the link for more detail.
http://www.uq.edu.au/news/index.html?article=7813

One of the issues facing teachers is the ever increasing amount of “educational material” being aimed at them by politicians, departmental bureaucrats & lobby groups all too eager to push the latest agenda. I ask the question, how many government departments employ educational officers to write material for them in order for them to appear to be doing something. If we are serious about literacy standards perhaps we should consider one of two things. (a) reduce what we expect teachers to ‘teach’ OR increase school hours.

Realist, >>Not interested in tit for tat<<, me neither. The reason I keep responding is because I hate being patronized, especially by young real estate practitioners who believe they have the answer to life, the universe and everything.

And if you believe that we cannot learn from the experience of the Tokyo property bubble, I feel sad for your clients.

>>I promote property, not myself<<

May I quote one of your contributions to another thread? "...hopefully my companies range of services will benefit members."

But even more blatantly, on this thread you took a very important issue - the teaching of children to read - and used it to promote your own external agenda. I'm sure that this fits right in with your brand of ethics, but it sure grates with me.

Once you have a family, I'm sure you will be able to see the ludicrousness of your suggestions that we should include property investment, tax minimization, leveraging credit and planning for retirement in the school curriculum. It was the utter fatuity of these propositions that led me to believe that your entire goal was self-promotion - after all, these are the tools of your trade, right?

>>Dodgy fleecers dont put cards on the table do they?<<

On the contrary, it is one of their hallmarks.

Realist,
I think you may be coming from a certain point of view. Which is fine but I believe it may be better that you understand the other side.

You stated that “Intelligence is measured in direct proportion to success”. Let’s qualify that with “I believe” shall we?

What you see as success is not necessarily what others see. What is success? How do you measure that? The amount of money you have is perhaps your measurement of success. By your argument then, if you have, say, $3million in property and 3 friends you are more successful than a person with a $400,000 mortgage and literally dozens of close supportive and reliable friends? A material view, in my opinion, is a poor benchmark.

But I do not think you see the world this way. Success is only measurable by an individual’s examination of their contentment and happiness. When you have an individual who is both to a large degree, no matter the material circumstance, I think you have true success. But then again, that is just me. As I said, the test is individual.

ON TOPIC,
It would seem to me, from reading the article, that the matter is one for the professionals. I for one cannot say whether cognitive based learning or ‘the old rules’ method (is there a proper term? Phonetics perhaps?) is better than the other. This seems to be a matter for those best skilled to work out which works better, if they should work hand in hand – or indeed at all.

My only comment would be that as parents, it is our duty to be involved in a child’s education and ensuring they complete their schooling to operate successfully in the adult world. With regards to reading, promote it – newspapers, magazines, books (especially) – even comics is a start. But engender in them the desire to read.

As another old saying suggests, nothing works better than ‘practice making perfect’.

I am just about sick of this Pericles, it is easy to be anonymous and make defaming statements against those who are transparent.

Once again, dodge this question by questioning or insulting me but i want to know what is your worldly experience? It seems to me you know little about creating any sort of wealth, or understanding basic markets so your success in any sort of business is questionable, you are pessimistic and dont hold any hopes for your children's future, and are skeptical of any Australian having a go, so where has all this come from?

Enough Now Though.

It is easy for those with no backbone who hide in cyberspace to throw things up like business integrity, i find it highly offensive and i have been patient with you on your continued accusations.

You are crossing the line now though, so i am telling you now to stop. This is the greatest insult an honest person can recieve, and with no grounds for your statements (as with most of them) you question my honesty and my ethics, and you accuse me of being something i am not.

Being 24 as you patronise me about, i like to give the grounds for my argument, and generally it may come from my own experiences. I think there are enough of you out there who dont so if you take big noting out of that, it depends what spectrum you live in.

Dont go back to my age because you get frustrated, if i can absorb what i have by 24, how does that make me inferior to you. I will attempt to be the more mature individual here from now though.

You are so aloof with your comments it shows you have a paperthin veneer, with comments like japan, you cannot explain yourself on your reasoning.

Finally, the reason kids need teachers in the first place: 'our kids will work until they drop'. No they wont, i believe in them, so do their teachers, shame their parent does not.

Your vivid imagination will no doubt serve you well in your professional life Realist, but it cuts no ice with me. I couldn't care less whether you are 24 or 94, your ideas on education belong in a fantasy world. I only brought up your age in the first place to excuse the limpness of your logic, and it was only when you declared your hand as a "get rich from property" spruiker that I detected the not-so-hidden agenda. If you see this as impugning your integrity, then so be it, I can only tell you how it comes across to me.

I'd just remark in passing that I was doing business in Tokyo in 1987 when the price per square foot of land was US$22,000, and again six years later when it was closer to $10,000 - having hit $5,000 in between. I spoke to businessmen and locals about their experiences, particularly the hardships it caused them and their families. And while I certainly don't believe that this makes me superior of inferior to anyone else, once again I simply call it as I see it.

And please, stop whining about being insulted - you seem quite happy to dish it out...

>>It seems to me you know little about creating any sort of wealth, or understanding basic markets so your success in any sort of business is questionable, you are pessimistic and dont hold any hopes for your children's future, and are skeptical of any Australian having a go<<

This is pure imagination on your part of course, but I guess it makes you feel better to think of me in these terms. And frankly, that's sad.

This is for you out of todays Courier Mail Pericles:

"EVERY child's reading skills will be tested on school entry and a literacy plan will be drawn up for them in a huge national shake-up of teaching methods.

A national report released yesterday has also recommended an overhaul of teacher training at universities and that parents take a stronger role in helping with their children's reading and writing skills."

Well well well, it seems my 'ludicrous' comments perhaps have some merit after all.

Your middle class advantage is being attacked, on guard Pericles!

Damn 24 year olds.