August 25, 2014
Teachers not to blame for poor outcomes
The editors of a new book on education and poverty say factors out of the control of schools are driving inequitable outcomes.
Vicki Carpenter says factors like hunger, household crowding, and health issues are what’s affecting mainly Maori and Pasifika children in low decile schools.
While teachers and principals work very hard, schools are often under – resourced and classroom teachers face considerable pressures.
She says it’s impossible for those in poverty to contribute to their children’s education in the same way as wealthy families, and that means under today’s policies they are slipping further behind.
Dr Carpenter and co-editor Sue Osborne will donate their royalties from Twelve thousand hours: education and poverty in Aotearoa New Zealand to low decile schools
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