Parent Power
The SPTC ruffled a few feathers by promoting the view that 'bad teachers and bad teaching' are largely responsible for poor academic attainment amongst Scottish pupils - not bad parents.
In support of their argument the SPTC highlighted a recent report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
A report which revealed that the biggest differences in attainment in Scottish schools are within schools - not between schools.
Now this chimes with my own personal experience.
Not that long ago one of my children was put into a particular class - and reported back to me that the teacher was very poor - compared to others in the school.
And sure enough after a few phone calls to teachers at the school I could speak to candidly - it became clear that this teacher was more than a bit of a dud.
In short he was not particularly interested in his job, unable to motivate his students and had a big drink problem.
So there followed a huge palaver to tackle the problem - without the school getting to grips with the real issue - the 'hopeless teacher' and his poor standard of work.
The teaching trade unions have responded to the SPTC in predictable fashion - claiming that education is a partnership between teachers and parents - and that the real reason for poor educational attainment is poverty and multiple deprivation.
Now to be kind to the teaching unions - I agree with both those points - in general terms at least - but that is not the point being raised by the SPTC.
The SPTC is saying - loud and clear - that attainment results within schools make the biggest difference and that - with respect - is the key point which many people including the unions are desperately trying to ignore.
The lack of parental involvement is an issue for some schools and some students - so too is the issue of poverty and deprivation - but these two factors will be relatively constant within schools - and so cannot answer the point about poor attainment being highlighted by the OECD and SPTC.
I wish the reaction of the teaching unions on occasions like this was less defensive and reactionary.
Because an attack on poor teachers and poor teaching - is not an attack on the whole teaching profession.
Yet the union response says otherwise - it's a case of muddying the waters to keep the spotlight off bad teachers - so the lack of parental involvement is wheeled out along with the issue of poverty and deprivation.
Both arguments have become a code language for - 'it's not our fault, it's a much wider problem, solve poverty and deprivation - then everyone will get the standard of teaching they deserve'.
To my mind that's a cop-out - because a young person from a poorer background has lots of challenges to overcome before they can succeed - but saddle them with a bad teacher in school and they are bound to fail.
So I hope the SPTC keeps up the good work - because far too much of the debate around teaching and education - is dominated by the teaching profession and their trade unions.
Whereas the voice and views of parents should come to the fore - much more often.
