Depressing reading...

...presuming, of course, that you still can:

0%: What this year's top science pupils would have got in 1965

A twofer that worked

'BBC accidentally gets it right' (well, for me) shock!

Not sure it was intentional.

With a story on a new set of exams that essential use kids to measure schools to help box-tickers draw up targets and lists, we had the now typical 'Obviously went to SpecSavers' Government Bouncer-type (they all look like BBC DG Mark Thompson, all shaved heads and designer stubble, and are just as pugnacious) vs. a very erudite headmistress.

Boy, did she nail this bozo, with the blonde and the bouffant giggling nervously in the background.

'Just another layer' she shrugs to the layer-inhabiting paid and pensioned pencil pusher.
Priceless.

Two rights spin a wrong?

I can't best this comment on a blog about the new 'A level' figures, the government's interpretation of it, and the BBC's sharing of same:

'I finally got around to reading the BBC report on the miraculous increase in A grades, and I noticed a perfect bit of [legal reasons deletion] from Schools Minister Jim Knight:

"More pupils are now passing maths A-level than at any time in over a decade. It's crucial for society that we have talented mathematicians and maths is essential for science and innovation."

Both sentences are true, yet the latter does not follow from the former. But I have to admire the brilliance of it.'

As a potential employer in the real world, while the paperwork may say one thing I think I might now seek other proof of competency if presented with an A level cert. In fact a mate last night told me his C grades 20 years ago now would be A's.

So, what actually counts as a decent qualification? An A with a star and a cherry and sprinkles?

Gaurdian - A-levels: elitism for everyone

Gaurdian - Closing students' minds

Dumb & dumber

A rather amusing moment just now on the trivia-fest that passes for morning news on the BBC.

In one of their regular 'research has shown something we should all be really stirred up about' slots they had a quiz on wildlife.

Seems our kids don't know their Yak from their Yoda or somesuch.

It was therefore rather good value to find that when they gave the 'answers', even with the benefit of hordes of researchers and all the time in the world in advance, they managed to label a certain butterfly incorrectly.

Lots of girlish giggling at the faux pas (even from the blonde too), but it certainly puts these 'are our kids dumber than a box of rocks?' slots in context for the stupid, divisive, ratings-driven non stories they are.

Reuters - Common wildlife is alien to many British kids

The left is right. Apparently.

And voters can't be trusted. Apparently.

Keeping class in the British classroom

I think this is where I was meant to end up having followed a trail from a homepage picture entitled 'Is meritocracy dead?'.

Correct me if I am wrong, but wasn't Mr. Johnson voted into his position by the majority in a democratic vote?

And is not Mr. Cameron doing quite well in the polls?

All for each to lose, but naked attempts at trying to justify 'we wuzz robbed' seems a little desperate on the parts of some in the media firmament.

And speaking of those who the public have seen fit not to endorse, did Mr. Livingstone not previously enjoy the support and benefits of the system for two terms?

That's despite not enjoying the academic advantages of, I don't know, Messrs Blair and Brown?

I know it's darn inconvenient when the people don't see the rectitude of a view, but abusing position and privilege in having access to such pages is insulting.

Fortunately, as Clark County and others such as Zoe on these pages have shown, telling people what to do is about as effective as slagging them off for not having the 'correct' point of view.