Ethics Classes in NSW public primary...
Transcript of Ethics Classes in NSW public primary...
Ethics Classes
in NSW
public primary schools
May 2013
From 1866 - 2013
History
Vision and Mission
Goals
Implementation
Current Status
Curriculum
How can you get involved?
Q&A session
1866 to 2013
Pilot classes conducted in 2010 and report submitted to Minister
Primary Ethics is a not-for-profit organisation founded by St James Ethics
Centre in Nov 2010
NSW Education Act (1990) amended Dec 1, 2010
Recruitment began on Jan 1, 2011
First classes started in early February, 2011
Latest advice to Principals released June 2012. (Policy still not published by
May 2013, but due “soon”). Available from: http://bit.ly/15BvlO4
Primary Ethics to be treated the same as SRE providers, except in terms of
telling SRE families that ethics classes have started at the school.
NSW Upper House inquiry – 14 recommendations all accepted by govt.
Primary Ethics to be granted DGR status by July 2013 – tax deductible
donations allowable from then.
Recent History
Communities delivering Ethics classes to primary school students
Our Vision
To provide the opportunity for public primary students who don’t
attend scripture/SRE to participate in philosophical ethics classes.
These classes will provide children with a lifelong capacity to make
ethical judgments and to act reasonably and responsibly.
Our Mission
By 2018:
•80% of K-6 students in NSW primary schools will have the opportunity to participate in face-to-face ethics classes*
•100% of K-6 students in NSW primary schools will have access to ethics classes via e-learning.
• Years 7-10 curriculum – funding dependent
• Starting to reach into other states and territories in Australia – funding dependent
*To deliver Ethics classes in over 800 schools in NSW, more than 4,200 trained and accredited volunteers are required.
Our Goals
Primary Ethics: growth projections
Primary Ethics Growth Projections
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
4000
4500
5000
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
0
10000
20000
30000
40000
50000
60000
70000
Number of schools Number of classes taught Total volunteers Number of students
SMH Poll: Where do you stand on ethics classes in schools?
SMH Poll: Where do you stand on ethics classes in schools?
8%
92%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
AGAINST THEM
FOR THEM
Community-driven, not-for-profit organisation
Volunteers are trained and accredited
Locally managed teacher networks
Primary Ethics office responsible for:
Program and curriculum development and quality
Training and accreditation of volunteers
Support for volunteers
Fundraising
Media, marketing and communications
Primary Ethics
Primary Ethics: organisation structure (July 2012)
Ethics Coordinators • Assess needs for Ethics classes in the school community
• Recruit Ethics Teachers ( parents, school and wider community)
• Liaison between parents, school principals, Ethics Teachers and Primary Ethics
Ethics Teachers • Trained and accredited by Primary Ethics
• Facilitate classes for 30-45 mins weekly during school terms
• Engage children in dialogue about issues that matter to them using curriculum provided
Other volunteering opportunities
Our curriculum
K-6 curriculum developed and available at
www.primaryethics.com.au
140 out of 280 lesson weeks have been
developed.
What happens in ethics classes?
There are two short videos on our website. One shows an ethics class in action.
The other is a brief explanation of what philosophical ethics is.
Curriculum
• Dr Sue Knight is under contract to write the curriculum by end 2014 • Spiral curriculum • K-6 topics available on our website • Children consider a wide range of ethical issues and learn
– Collaborative inquiry – Logical reasoning – Critical thinking – Capacity to evaluate good and bad moral reasoning
• Evidence shows that well reasoned moral judgment doesn’t come automatically as young people mature
• Skills best developed using collaborative dialogue • Once acquired, skills accompany individuals into adulthood
Current Status at Term 2, 2013
Approx 8000 students in 200 schools attending face-to-face classes.
Current schools are listed on our webpage
http://www.primaryethics.com.au/currentschools.html
Classes are now available to Years 3, 4 5, and 6 students.
Classes for Years 1 and 2 available in Term 3, 2013.
Classes for Kindergarten will start Term 3, 2014.
Information for Parents
Primary Ethics consists almost entirely of volunteers.
Our Volunteers
800
Volunteers
525
Teachers
235
Ethics
Coordinators
13
Volunteers
Managers
20
Trainers
and other
helpers
Current Schools
Maps on our website show which schools
have an Ethics Coordinator in place.
How do I get involved?
• You can volunteer
• Subscribe to our newsletter
• Become a sponsor or donor
• Contact us
• www.primaryethics.com.au
In time, not very much time at all, it will be the decisions of the children
we teach today that will shape the world. Dr Simon Longstaff
The unexamined life is not worth living. Socrates
Thank You