What Parents Want: The role of schools in teaching about the wider world

Author: Think Global (Development Education Association)

Institution: Think Global

Full reference: Think Global. (2011). What Parents Want: The role of schools in teaching about the wider world. London: Think Global.

Summary of key findings

This report presents the findings from a YouGov survey of parents’ attitudes towards their children’s education.

The key findings of this research include:

• 71% parents agree that it is important for schools to help young people to think globally;
• 72% parents agree that it is important for schools to help young people to be responsible global citizens;
• The majority of parents think schools should be doing more to prepare young people to live in a globalised world;
• Only 7% think schools should do less of the above;
• 75% parents think it is important for young people to develop the capabilities they will need to live and work in a globalised world.

These capabilities are further broken down as:

• Openness to the cultures and perspectives of people from different places and backgrounds: 79% say this is important;
• Learning to lead more environmentally sustainable lives: 84% say this is important;
• Knowledge about the causes of international poverty: 73% say this is important;
• Understanding the causes of mass migration, including migration to the UK: 74% say this is important.

The report emphasizes how this research echoes separate Ipsos MORI studies which have demonstrated how young people, teachers and the general public agree with parents on the importance of learning about the wider world.

The authors argue that behaviour, attendance, attainment and school ethos can all be improved by teaching about the wider world. Here they refer to a previous Ofsted research report (2009) and research conducted by Ipsos MORI (2010).

The report stresses how policymakers will need to take specific measures to give teachers the confidence and freedom to teach about the wider world. Ipsos MORI research (2009) has highlighted that many teachers are not confident about teaching such complex global issues

Specific measures that policymakers could take to address these issues include:

• Designing a school curriculum that creates the space for teaching about the wider world;
• Incorporating global issues into teacher training and teacher professional development;
• Supporting proven programmes for teachers in this area.

Research Questions & Methodology

The report is based on the results of a survey conducted using an online interview administered by YouGov Plc. Fieldwork was carried out between 26 and 29 November 2010.

Go to the journal article.