Some useful perspectives when considering selective schools for your children. "Ideally, schools are microcosms of society, where children learn everyday multiculturalism in an organic way," Are selective schools racially skewed? If yes, will it represent the broader Australian society? If not, what would be the developmental impacts on students (such as on creativity, wisdom, resilience, critical thinking etc. )? How do competition, affordability and fairness in relation to education relate to this situation?
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-11-27/the-mother-who-wont-send-her-kids-to-selective-schools/9179820
We have so many school systems in the world and so much empirical (also comparative) research about the factors of educational success so it is surprising, at the first glance, that such a question gets no clear answer. Actually, it is so, because the field of influencing factors of school carrier are complex, also traditions play a role. See the difference between state schools (like the French, German, or Russian system) or community schools (like Dutch/English/Commonwealth system. It is not clear: What means "selective" - which difference should stay in the focus: Private schools against public schools, school choice of parents or not, joint teaching or not, comprehensive school against school diversity. It would be helpful for discussion, I suggest: Please, formulate one or more hypotheses on the base of the newest results of empirical research.
Dear Hein
The term "selective school" is used here in Australia commonly to indicate that students are selected based on an entry-test score. We have these optional tests for entrance to secondary school (grade 7) and also another test for entrance to some special (selective) schools at grade 9.
Regards
Chandana
Dear Chandana,
I think that rather than entry selection, the results obtained by the school with its students should be a more important decision factor. Entrance examinations, especially before higher education are a way to cheat with the results. Entrance examinations are a social discriminator, they allow only students whose parents have the means to prepare their children for the said examination. On the other side non selective schools that get good results, (with as many factors as academic excellence, happiness in adult life, entry in the professional world, adaptability, etc ...) are a better indicator of the potential well-being of children studying there than a difficult selection exam. I live in a country that is very focused on selection exams (Japan), but the impression I have when I talk to pre-graduate students, is that they focused so much on the pre-selection exams all their life, that they find themselves without any dream, goal or motivation left once this very superficial goal of "getting in" is achieved.
Best regards,
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