Dear Phil

Thanks for your words of wisdom - but we'd like a bit of assistance here.  There is a very strong correlation between poverty and poor educational outcomes.

New Zealand workers, in general, have low rates of pay.

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Charter schools - New Zealand education for sale  - - you can buy anonymously  it's a captive market, guaranteed income from the taxpayer and regulation free, ...  sign up here.

'I can be objective' says Isaac - and my appointment is not political

Well tie me to an anthill and smear my ears with jam!  I just couldn't maintain my zen listening to Catherine Isaac on Native Affairs. Cynic is back.

Have a listen to this paragon of virtue on Native Affairs and then tell me she's objective.

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Everyone seems to be back to their 'usual' lives. Teachers and students back at school, workers back at work, including me, so that means update the blog - as no elves updated it for me during my own summer(?) break.

Politicians are back prevaricating and obfusticating and some of their advisors advice appears to do the same. The announcements on charter schools, and class size - and the Ministry of Education briefing to the incoming Minister - are depressing examples.

So to advice from Bertrand Russell and the Skepticblog and referenced in the title of this blog - don't take people's (politicians in particular) word and check everything twice:

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Growing inequities - so what?

Today was spent in Tauranga, participating in the NZARE (NZ Association for Research in Education) conference (well listening anyway).

Professor Robert Tierney was the opening keynote speaker "Growing inequities: how do we contribute" was the title of his address.

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