Why children should study philosophy, 19 March 2014,
https://theconversation.com/why-children-should-study-philosophy-23404

Studies* have demonstrated that children who study philosophy are more likely to achieve better academic results. They also enjoy additional social benefits such as better self-esteem and the demonstration of empathy for others.

*Benefits of Collaborative Philosophical Inquiry in Schools, STEPHAN MILLETT and ALAN TAPPER
Educational Philosophy and Theory, Volume 44, Issue 5, Article first published online: 23 JAN 2011

January 2, 2014

Allentown High School

http://exa.gmnews.com/news/2014-01-02/Schools/

January 26, 2014 By Stephen Law

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/secularoutpost/2014/01/26/philosophy-and-religion-in-schools/

Is philosophy in schools a good idea? (from Hand and Winstanley, Philosophy in Schools, Continuum 2008))

An examination of two very popular objections to the suggestion that all children should be encouraged to think critically and independently about moral and religious questions.

1. To encourage a thinking, questioning attitude on these topics is to promote relativism.

2. Parents have a right to send their child to a school where their religious beliefs will not be subjected to critical scrutiny.

There have been quite a few articles about philosophy in schools recently. The author of the following article suggests that schools should cover a range of philosophical fields, not just ethics.

Nov 20, 2013, Teach philosophy not only ethics in schools

http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/649604-teach-philosophy-not-only-ethics-in-schools.html

A few recent news items may be of interest:

• Philosophy Club Gives Kids Space To Really Talk
  http://eastgreenwich.patch.com/groups/schools/p/philosophy-club-gives-kids-space-to-really-talk

• “Massey University philosopher Associate Professor Bill Fish has been taking weekly classes at Hiwinui School near Palmerston North for the past seven years”
  http://www.voxy.co.nz/national/my-chair-real-and-other-philosophical-quandaries/5/174072

•  “Why I became a philosophy teacher: to get kids thinking about life’s big ideas”
  http://www.theguardian.com/teacher-network/teacher-blog/2013/oct/27/philosophy-teacher-big-ideas-children

• Nov. 2 Event to Highlight Value of Pre-Collegiate Philosophy Programs
  http://www.newswise.com/articles/nov-2-event-to-highlight-value-of-pre-collegiate-philosophy-programs

• “The first R: why we need to teach philosophy in the classroom”
  http://www.theguardian.com/teacher-network/teacher-blog/2013/sep/23/teach-philosophy-in-the-classroom

Richard Tweedie (Hagley Community College) recently presented at the Social Sciences conference on the current position of Philosophy in New Zealand Secondary education. He also presented at the 2013 NZAPT conference. In his compelling powerpoint, Richard shows that the subject Philosophy is well positioned to fill a hole in the current NZ curriculum.

Download the powerpoint here…

In 2013 the NZAPT ran a survey of a sample of Philosophy students in New Zealand. Current results are online.  Click here to view the results.

There has been an increase in media coverage lately. Recent coverage is focusing on the place Philosophy teaching has in schools and the need for NCEA assessments in Philosophy. Check Dan Stollenwerk’s interview on Radio Live (November 2012).

Click to listen…

Philosophy Teaching as Inquiry

The Hands Up Habit

A quarter of top students consistently put their hands up and are chosen to answer questions, while the remaining students are less involved. The minority make this questioning system work for them and actively participate to learn more, while the majority are permitted to switch off and opt out.
(more…)

Check out this article about university level philosophy courses being offered in Christchurch secondary schools. Both Hagley and Unlimited had students doing this course.