Stephen Macartney
DYScovery Learning
Stephen Macartney sees the future for education in more than just statistics, because statistics often paint in too broad strokes—leaving many behind. With a drive for real change where education is concerned, not just for the access sector but for the system as a whole, Macartney now applies his years in both teaching and developmental and educational psychology towards including comprehensive support for those children with ‘learning disabilities’. Having grown up with ADHD, Macartney could sympathise with students who have learning differences, wanting to see progress on the part of the education system to recognise the diversity of learning styles. Thus Macartney’s Discovery Learning project seeks to add additional insight and responsiveness to the current education and schooling system for children with Learning Differences.
SHIFT TO POSSIBILITY
It’s apparent that our education system values and reinforces certain learning styles over others. Much research has explored this, turning out statistics which indicate factors such as socioeconomic grouping can influence academic performance. Outside of these findings are factors which have been considered but not always formally acknowledged, referred to as ‘learning disabilities’ but can also be more positively reframed as Learning Differences. These include ADHD, dyslexia, and dyspraxia and others. While assessments exist to determine a student’s capabilities with these difficulties, these assessments so often occur in a framework where a purpose is the identification of a learning problem within a deficit based approach What’s more, the existing assessment is a one-off, which families often pay for themselves. know how to navigate the obstacle of difference this system makes of their child.
Alternatively, Macartney’s Dyscovery Learning project proposes an assessment system that is less costly—and therefore more accessible—and is highly adaptable and will be ongoing. Its inclusive of parallel support network rather than a single diagnostic test that leaves those students with a Learning Difference and their families with only limited options and approaches.
MACARTNEY AND THE GCOP
Macartney participated in the Be Leadership Programme in 2015 . Which should come as no surprise, seeing as the basic concept for the Dyscovery Learning project has been formulated and developed alongside Macartney’s teaching and educational psychology roles for most of his career. With the GCOP Macartney is developing an approach in terms of a website based system which will assist with initial identification of learning differences and then provide ongoing support for children and their families and schools. The GCOP programme has given him comprehensive access to the technical and business experience he need to make this project a reality. The GCOP has provided Macartney with the foundation for identifying and developing the specific changes and solutions required to enhance the current system. Macartney with and through GCOP wants more collaboration and inclusion and improved opportunities for everyone within the learning process and education system.