At our first face-to-face conversation day in December 2012, delegates shared their thoughts about key priorities for Education Scotland in the sciences, to inform our business planning processes for 2013/14. We have shared these below. What we plan to do next is to discuss these in more detail on the blog to gather views more widely. The first three related posts, from 20th December, 11th January and 7th February are on exemplification, sharing practice and providing input to the future of the Education Scotland online services.

Key priorities for Education Scotland’s planning

Developing online learning communities, and learning communities within education authorities; encourage collegiality to allow more professional dialogue; support mentoring or peer support schemes for practitioners;

Continuing to back up reports with forums to engage practitioners, such as the Sciences 3-18 blog and STEM Professional Learning Community

Supporting effective professional learning which meets the needs of practitioners, in particular provision of support for leaders in learning and senior managers; sharing good practice, identifying “champion” schools

Creating a portal of research; support classroom practitioners in carrying out research

Exemplifying learning and teaching of experiences and outcomes, and investigation and inquiry in the sciences; filter and recommend practical resources

Developing among practitioners a shared understanding of relevant skills, including responsibilites of all, and of assessment

Communicating clearly the remit of Education Scotland; keep Development Officers (DOs) for longer periods for more consistency

Reviewing ITE selection processes

Articulating with needs of industry

Working closely with parents

Reviewing accessibility of Education Scotland website

Implementation of Curriculum for Excellence in a holistic way within a national framework, with reminder of the priority – meeting the needs of learners and the child at the centre