-
8/8/2019 The School Curriculum in Wales and Devolution:
1/9
The School Curriculum in Wales and
Devolution: Evidence Informed Policy?
David Egan
University of Wales Institute Cardiff
ECER 2010
Helsinki
-
8/8/2019 The School Curriculum in Wales and Devolution:
2/9
-
8/8/2019 The School Curriculum in Wales and Devolution:
3/9
Curriculum reform in Wales
abandonment of national testing atages 7, 11 and 14
introduction of the Foundation phase ,
3-7 years olds
reform of 14-19 education
introduction of a Welsh baccalaureate
initial work scoping 8-14 phase in
education
School Effectiveness Framework
implemented from September 2010
Completed within the reformed
National Curriculum through greater
freedom to innovate.
-
8/8/2019 The School Curriculum in Wales and Devolution:
4/9
Evidence Informed Policy?Foundation Stage
Expert Adviser produced recommendations
(2000);
development work involving civil servants,practitioners,
academics and special interest
groups
consultation period (2002)
pilot in 41 schools (September 2004)
guidance information for practitioners
nursery and reception children from 2009
all 3-7 years olds from 2011
-
8/8/2019 The School Curriculum in Wales and Devolution:
5/9
Evidence Informed Policy?
Assessment
decision to end testing for 7 year olds based on evidencefrom
Inspectorate, practitioners and officials withinEducation Dept.
review of curriculum and assessment arrangements byformer Chief
Inspector in 2003 questionnaires andstakeholder interviews.
further expert review by Prof Richard Daugherty (ARG)
in 2004Pedagogy
pilot of Assessment for Learning and thinking skillsstrategies
with groups of schools
Pedagogy Strategy and School Effectiveness
Framework
-
8/8/2019 The School Curriculum in Wales and Devolution:
6/9
Evidence Informed Policy?
14-19 Education and Training
broader curriculum offer from September 2009
Review Group formed 2007, Prof Adrian Webb
collaboration between providers needs to improve policy
development led by WAG officials with practitioner
secondees
initial development and scoping work involved 170individuals
from a wider range of stakeholder groups
14-19 Learning Networks in the 22 LAs of Wales
less involvement of academic research
high political engagement
-
8/8/2019 The School Curriculum in Wales and Devolution:
7/9
Evidence Informed Policy?
Welsh Baccalaureate
broaden curriculum for 14-18 year olds
review of international evidence pilot undertaken between
2003-2006
pilot received a positive evaluation by
University of Nottingham target: 40% of all 14-19 years involved
by
2010
-
8/8/2019 The School Curriculum in Wales and Devolution:
8/9
Evidence Informed Policy?
Review of 8-14 Education inWales
Task Group established in early 2009 led by Prof Egan
strong stakeholder engagement: headteachers, LocalAuthority
personnel, school governor, school inspector
recommendations: creation of discrete 8-14 phase with discrete
policy for pedagogy
leadership, transition, assessment, literacy and inclusion
development of 8-14 workforce
changes to school governance and organisation changes to
inspection framework
commissioning of educational research on 8-14 achievement
more equal distribution of funding between phases
-
8/8/2019 The School Curriculum in Wales and Devolution:
9/9
Conclusion stakeholder interaction strongest in Foundation Phase
and
weakest for 14-19 reform
greatest impact where there is a strong personalcommitment and
involvement of senior politicians innetworks with practitioners
WAG draws on educational research in Wales Issues of capacity
and dissemination
what counts as evidence?
quantitative and qualitative approaches
practitioner input and research-based evidence
Informal brokerage
Bridging the divide between policy makers and researchers
Strong involvement of practitioners
