I decided that it might be useful if there was a simple postcard that people who support the call for changes to CME legislation could send to their MPs etc.
My daughter did the drawings, we know that they are terribly stereotyped, this was done deliberately to make the point very clearly in the easiest way possible. We do not believe that home educated children all sit studiously at desks all day long in the same way that we don't believe all truants are yobbish, chain smoking graffiti artists.
If you want to read more about this issue then please look at the following two links both of which are included on the postcard:
AHEd letter to Michael Gove
Mieke's blog about how CME is changing relations between the LA and HEers in Cumbria.
You might also like to look at these threads on the Home Education Forums which details further examples of CME being directed at Home Educators.
And at Gill's blog detailing why CME needs changing before we have any new guidelines.
If you click on the highlighted named links you will be able to download a copy of the front and back of the postcard to print off on an A6 sized piece of card. There is a lot of info to try to squeeze into a small space, but it does all print out ok - well, it did for me!
If you don't already know who your MP is you can find out who they are and where to write to them here.
CME Postcard Front
Back of CME Post Card (1)
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Conspiracy of Silence
It's now been over a month since the HE grapevine first started kicking off about the rumour that new guidelines were being written.
A month of people wondering, questioning, worrying and debating potential issues.
A month in which the known author of the guidelines could have responded to people's questions. A month in which she could have put people's minds at rest. It is surely what any decent person would do?
Instead we have had nothing. Zilch. Nada. Oh we've had the mutterings of a few self appointed fire fighters, who for their part seem only to have fanned the flames and attempted to stifle reasoned debate. From the Queen Bee though, nothing. She is, it would appear, above reproach.
There are people who could shed some light on the goings on, but we seem to be firmly in the midst of a conspiracy of silence. Whilst this may sound dramatic, I think that anyone who has been drawn into this episode would find it hard to disagree that elements of these effects are evident within parts of the HE *Community*.
Those who are directly suffering, or causing others to suffer, perpetuate their cycle of harm and suffering
Those who have suffered have their suffering extended by having their condition ignored or minimized, and are not considered seriously or redressed appropriately
Lessons that might be learned for future are not learned
Apparently the reason no one will speak out is because they are too frightened to *stick their heads above the parapet*. If those involved had the courage of their convictions then they would not seek to hide behind what they must perceive to be the safety of anonymity, they would be willing to defend their actions. That they are not suggests that self interest is at the heart of the whole sorry mess. We can only wonder at the possible motives involved, but top of the list would surely have to be financial gain. Maybe not immediately, that would be too obvious, but perhaps there is a longer term game plan afoot here?
Words like slander, libel and defamation are flying around the ether; friendships are being torn apart; suspicion is rife. Ed Balls's government couldn't have done a better job of creating such a rift. Meanwhile, silence.
Words couldn't express it better than this photo:
A month of people wondering, questioning, worrying and debating potential issues.
A month in which the known author of the guidelines could have responded to people's questions. A month in which she could have put people's minds at rest. It is surely what any decent person would do?
Instead we have had nothing. Zilch. Nada. Oh we've had the mutterings of a few self appointed fire fighters, who for their part seem only to have fanned the flames and attempted to stifle reasoned debate. From the Queen Bee though, nothing. She is, it would appear, above reproach.
There are people who could shed some light on the goings on, but we seem to be firmly in the midst of a conspiracy of silence. Whilst this may sound dramatic, I think that anyone who has been drawn into this episode would find it hard to disagree that elements of these effects are evident within parts of the HE *Community*.
Those who are directly suffering, or causing others to suffer, perpetuate their cycle of harm and suffering
Those who have suffered have their suffering extended by having their condition ignored or minimized, and are not considered seriously or redressed appropriately
Lessons that might be learned for future are not learned
Apparently the reason no one will speak out is because they are too frightened to *stick their heads above the parapet*. If those involved had the courage of their convictions then they would not seek to hide behind what they must perceive to be the safety of anonymity, they would be willing to defend their actions. That they are not suggests that self interest is at the heart of the whole sorry mess. We can only wonder at the possible motives involved, but top of the list would surely have to be financial gain. Maybe not immediately, that would be too obvious, but perhaps there is a longer term game plan afoot here?
Words like slander, libel and defamation are flying around the ether; friendships are being torn apart; suspicion is rife. Ed Balls's government couldn't have done a better job of creating such a rift. Meanwhile, silence.
Words couldn't express it better than this photo:
I would ask that the person responsible stand up and own her actions, but I know all too well that I would be ignored. Reprehensible doesn't begin to cover it.
Of course this post is probably just another example of me *Doing a Tech*.
Of course this post is probably just another example of me *Doing a Tech*.
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