The Common Core explained

Mar 25, 2016 02:04 am UTC| Insights & Views Life

Beginning in 2010, mathematics and English language arts standards, called the Common Core State Standards, were adopted in 45 of 50 U.S. states. The Common Core Standards represent a substantial change from what was in...

Western pastiche of Hindu colour festival ignores politics of pigment in India

Mar 25, 2016 01:44 am UTC| Life

The video for Hymn for the Weekend, Coldplays recent single, is full of colour. Purging Indias palette in a typically Western fashion, theres a bright yellow temple, billowing orange fabric, dazzling Krishna blue. Pink...

The very strange history of the Easter Bunny

Mar 25, 2016 01:29 am UTC| Life

While youre biting the heads off your chocolate bunnies this weekend, you might wonder how cartoon rabbits became so central to our Easter celebrations. Its tempting to assume that because theres no biblical basis for the...

Forced academisation by proxy: when schools have little choice but to convert

Mar 25, 2016 00:52 am UTC| Insights & Views Life

All schools in England that remain under local authority control are now living with the threat of being forced to become academies. As the mother of a child who attends a school that chose to become an academy, rather...

Why science and religion aren't as opposed as you might think

Mar 24, 2016 23:36 pm UTC| Life

The debate about science and religion is usually viewed as a competition between worldviews. Differing opinions on whether the two subjects can comfortably co-exist even among scientists are pitted against each other in...

This Easter, churches will be praying for a rebirth

Mar 24, 2016 22:50 pm UTC| Insights & Views Life

Death and resurrection are the central themes of the main Christian festival of Easter. And this Easter, these themes are becoming uncomfortably close for thoughtful church leaders. With the recent damning revelations...

What parents and teachers should know about non-verbal learning disability

Mar 24, 2016 00:10 am UTC| Life Health

When my daughter was in Year 10 at a private girls school, I got the call that every parent dreads a summons to the deputys office. My polite 15-year-old girl had no behavioural problems, but she couldnt keep up with...