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UK: 11-year-olds are getting dumber
Well, of course that might be a bit exaggerated, but nevertheless according to this article researchers Adey and Shayer have come to the conclusion that 11-year-olds from now score worse on the same test pupils first took in 1976. Some shocking figures:
"In 1976 a third of boys and a quarter of girls scored highly in the tests overall; by 2004, the figures had plummeted to just 6% of boys and 5% of girls. These children were on average two to three years behind those who were tested in the mid-1990s."
It's still a bit speculating what the cause is of the decline in knowledge. The researchers think that hands-on experience, such as playing in the mud and with Meccano, has declined for children. They learn too little about how materials behave in the real world. "They have the facts but they are not thinking very well."
I'm curious to see whether these results will have an impact on the UK government. Will they reconsider the educational program?
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I don't believe they are getting dumber as the results appear to be getting better for the 16 year olds. I do believe that kids interests have changed enormously & that activities that enabled kids to answer the question in 1976 have changed where they are less likely to answer them but perhaps answer others. As for whether it will affect the UK government I doubt it. Further the new government educational proposals are only getting through parliament due to the support form the Conservatives.
Posted by: Michael at March 22, 2006 10:37 AM
