Teachers Pass 'Illiterate' Boy !!!!!!!!!

[Daanyeer]

Source: www.news.com.au

BY: Darrell Giles

October 15, 2006 12:00am


........"We are seeing far too many people come out of school barely able to read or write. We are hearing about university students who have to take remedial English courses,"



A SCHOOLBOY will soon start Grade 11 despite failing almost every test he has sat for the past four years.

The father of "Anthony", 15, who struggles with basic literacy and numeracy, says education officials have ignored repeated pleas to keep his son back.

He said it was an indictment of Queensland's state education system that his son was elevated each year despite his failing grades.

Anthony would finish senior school at Albany Creek State High with little or no understanding of what he had been taught.

"He should have been held back in Grade Seven. He was not ready for high school. I pleaded with the school . . . but they pushed him up," the father of four said.

"It has been the same every year since. He does not understand what he has been taught in 8, 9 and 10, yet the school is happy he is going to 11 next year."

Anthony recently sat the Grade 10 literacy and numeracy benchmark exams and scored five out of 40 in each.

The school contacted his father but the news was not what he expected.

"I thought they might be telling me it was best he repeats Grade 10. But, no, they said he would be going up to Grade 11 next year. I could not believe it," the father said.

"He doesn't know his times tables. His spelling is shocking. He is totally lost."

The boy's father said he had asked school officials for remedial help but was told to get private tuition.

"I am a single dad bringing up four teenagers. I can't afford private tuition. The school says it doesn't have the funds to help me," he said.

Anthony told The Sunday Mail he enjoyed being at school with his mates and would like to get higher marks than his usual D, E, and F scores.

"I have a problem with school work. I just find it difficult," he said.

"I like school, it's better than sitting around at home. I just wish I was better at it.

"It's going to be tough next year. I don't know what subjects I am going to do."

His father said Anthony wanted to work with cars when he finished Grade 12.

"But I don't know if he will ever get the chance. I don't blame the school. I know they are under a lot of pressure, their hands are tied.

"I blame Education Queensland. The system has failed Anthony.

"In my day, we learned everything by repetition. Today, they tell me repetition is bullying. I think they need to get back to basics."

Queensland Teachers Union president Steve Ryan said the school had made every effort to help Anthony.

Mr Ryan said that while Anthony was in Grade 10, he was doing a modified program that included work from a much lower grade.

"The school has quite a specific amount of work in terms of supporting this student . . . the school has done the caring thing in providing a modified program," he said.

Mr Ryan said parents could insist on their child being held back a year, but there were other factors taken into consideration, including a student's age, size and maturity.

An Education Queensland spokeswoman said the school would work closely with the father and son to help Anthony through his final years, including the possibility of a school-based apprenticeship.

"Given the parent's strong views, the school will arrange to meet with the parent to further discuss his concerns and options for the future," the spokeswoman said.

"The school is committed to ensuring the best possible outcome for this student."

She said Anthony had been part of a learning support program since Year 8, with particular focus on literacy.

"The school strongly believes he has made progress through the years and they have faith in his abilities to continue."

Opposition education spokesman Stuart Copeland attacked the State Government for failing students.

"We are seeing far too many people come out of school barely able to read or write. We are hearing about university students who have to take remedial English courses," Mr Copeland said.

Education commentator Christopher Bantick said schools were promoting students beyond their ability.

"Students are promoted, regardless of results because schools are number crunching," Mr Bantick said.

"A student who fails year after year is not benefiting from this promotional policy. The problem is compounded."

He said parents had every right to ask for their child to be held back – although it sometimes led to peer pressure and ostracism.