Every parent likes to think they know what's best for their child and, for the most part, this is true. Until the age of 11 parents are responsible for the educational upbringing of their children with many opting to enroll them in muggle primary schools while others still hold the tradition of homeschooling with the aid of a private tutor. Though there has not been a significant difference noted academically between the children of either category one must consider the standard that is acceptable. That is the topic on the mind of these candidates.

Are the children learning all they can when they get sent among muggle children and get taught things they may possibly never need to know again? How does it benefit the children to keep them at home and rob them of the social interaction with peers that is essential for social development?

Surely there is some balance as the children, for the most part, turn into upstanding members of the community but are there issues to be discussed concerning the Pre-Hogwarts Education standards our children are exposed to? Come find out what your potential Ministers have to say.

Candidates:
Victoria Culloden
Alicia Tanner
Becca Yenorin

Alicia wasn’t that nervous really when she made her way over to the booth on Pre-Hogwarts Education Standards…after all this was something she was very opinionated on. After all she had gone to Hogwarts as had her mother before her, and her step daughter and niece had been a Hogwarts Graduate back in 2075. She also felt deeply on the subject because soon her own daughter would go there and then her sons of course because Hogwarts was one of the best schools she wouldn’t deny that.

She had been considering her options of course for her children’s education and really, the whole idea was unsettling as she knew that her own step-daughter’s maths skills were subpar compared to students who had gone to a normal primary school. She took a few calming breaths before making her way to the booth and waiting for the public and her other competitors to decend.

With a bright and curious four year old at home, Seren could appreciate conversations on early and pre-Hogwarts education. She herself had been home schooled and though her mother had done well by her, she wondered if perhaps there were better alternatives, or what really was the best and really what was the standard? Was this a minimum standard? Or were the intentions to set the bar higher?

Bright eyed and eager to engage with the New Minister candidates, Seren made a direct line to this particular booth and politely called to attention the candidate that was present. She smiled politely and pointed up at the banner which indicated the topic, "What is your take on pre-Hogwarts education standards? What should that entail exactly?" Bearing in mind muggle borns had little in the way of alternatives - could a new wizarding standard create a gap between those of wizarding blood and muggle borns?

Just as Becca walked over to the booth, she heard the question and moved to stand beside the booth and let Tanner answer the question. All candidates should be allowed to be heard, and she wasn't going to Roxanne Carter this and butt in. Her view on the education standards were quite informed since she had children of her own and had taught them simple things herself. The boys were getting very good with their writing now, and their vocabulary was widening each day.

Gid was walking through the rally listening to questions and answers each of the candidates were given and answering. He smiled and nodded to those he knew and giving kind smiles to anyone he didn't. He approached the pre education standards booth, this one was one that really sat on his mind as well as Becca's he knew. He listened as Seren asked her first question of Ms. Tanner. It was a good question! He wanted to know where each of them stood!

He would ask Ms. Tanner his question after she answered Seren's. "Ms. Yenorin, I ask you the same question Ms. Bentley asked here. What is your take on pre-Hogwarts education standards and what should that entail exactly?"

He had recognized the former Herbology Professor and gave her a smile.

Seems the husband was trying to make sure his wife was heard. Hmm, good tactic if she could say so herself, but maybe he should let the others ask questions so it didn't look so forced. Victoria had felt she had been learning a thing or two about politics and the way it worked throughout this campaign. It had it's ups, which had been wonderful and it's downs, such as the Quibbler. So once the blonde got to her final booth of the day she moved quietly to stand next to her opponents.

She felt no reason to jump in quickly, she would let them speak. It was nice to hear their views as well, because honestly everyone's ideas were good in some ways. Whomever became minister, if not herself, should take all the ideas and form one amazing idea with each issue. Using the resources right in front of you was something that Vic enjoyed doing. NO need to fully reinvent the broom if you didn't have to.

Giving polite smiles and nods to all, she thought a few moments about what she'd like to speak about first.

Cassie had been walking around the extravaganza, just browsing. There were a couple of topics that she thought might me interesting, and she was making a mental list of the places she would visit. There were a few topics that were more important than the others - where she would learn views that would have a heavier weight in shifting her vote to one candidate or another. The first booth she decided to visit was the one about education. She quite liked education and felt strongly about it.

Hey, there was Victoria. It was funny that the first booth Cassie had happened to choose was the one Victoria was stationed at. As Cassie approached, she heard the questions asked of the other two candidates. That did seem like the best question to ask, so she just stood by and waited for an answer. But as she did, she turned to Victoria. "What are the current pre-Hogwarts education standards?" She should know that first before she would be able to understand most of the information she would be given.

Hadley stood in this booth for quite some time, just… staring around her. Pre-Hogwarts education. Eventually she thought of a question and addressed all the candidates. She would like to know of all the answers, really. Not that she minded AT ALL what their answers were, this was, again, for her, a chance to get to know the candidates.

"What is your opinion of contacting muggle-born witches and wizards at a younger age to prepare them for the schooling at Hogwarts?"

It was simple, and again, she didn't care what the answer was. It was asking for different opinions. She thought that many of the muggle-born students were either already well prepared in the weeks or months they had prior to attending Hogwarts, and they didn't seem to need any special attention against those who were born into families with at least one magical parent. But what if they did contact them earlier?

Quote:

Originally Posted by littledhampir

Cassie had been walking around the extravaganza, just browsing. There were a couple of topics that she thought might me interesting, and she was making a mental list of the places she would visit. There were a few topics that were more important than the others - where she would learn views that would have a heavier weight in shifting her vote to one candidate or another. The first booth she decided to visit was the one about education. She quite liked education and felt strongly about it.

Hey, there was Victoria. It was funny that the first booth Cassie had happened to choose was the one Victoria was stationed at. As Cassie approached, she heard the questions asked of the other two candidates. That did seem like the best question to ask, so she just stood by and waited for an answer. But as she did, she turned to Victoria. "What are the current pre-Hogwarts education standards?" She should know that first before she would be able to understand most of the information she would be given.

This was a topic that was close to her, her own children had different forms of education and while she was in thought of what Bart got in his private tutors to what the girls were going to get a very different experience in the new school they were going to. Hearing someones voice she looked up and smiled. "Good afternoon Cassie." Seeing a familiar face did make her relax a bit. "Well the tutors that have always done the education have concentrated on basic skills; writing, math, reading, basic magical thing appreciation. Things that are happening now, which I'm very excited for is preHogwart schools are forming. I place for children ages 3-10 to get the basic education and curriculum with peers their own age instead of alone with tutors. So they would be doing the same language arts lessons, math, magical safety and appriciation, but on top of those they would also get early chances to learn about gobstones and quidditch and have some art and music experiences. My own girls are going to one of these schools, Primary Wizarding." She beamed very proud of Charely who was now the Headmaster there.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jessiqua

Hadley stood in this booth for quite some time, just… staring around her. Pre-Hogwarts education. Eventually she thought of a question and addressed all the candidates. She would like to know of all the answers, really. Not that she minded AT ALL what their answers were, this was, again, for her, a chance to get to know the candidates.

"What is your opinion of contacting muggle-born witches and wizards at a younger age to prepare them for the schooling at Hogwarts?"

It was simple, and again, she didn't care what the answer was. It was asking for different opinions. She thought that many of the muggle-born students were either already well prepared in the weeks or months they had prior to attending Hogwarts, and they didn't seem to need any special attention against those who were born into families with at least one magical parent. But what if they did contact them earlier?

"I think that's a great question. I certainly feel like that could help muggle families understand their children a little better early on, instead of not being sure until the child's letter comes. I always feel that bringing them to a primary wizarding school could help them have a smooth transition into our world from what they know of the muggle world, but I also feel that could go the other way as well. We start showing magic as early as five, but what about the rare cases of squibs. They have always known magic and then parents are faced with private tutors which could hurt them socially or sending them off to muggle schools, which could be a hard transition. Those children would stay in the wizarding primary until up to age ten and could be eased into the muggle world things, with muggle classes before going into a muggle school at age eleven." Well she didn't ask about squibs, but she hoped it was okay to speak her mind on that as well.

Alicia smiled to the younger blonde woman and took a deep breath before answering her question. “Wonderful question,” she mentioned before delving further in. “I believe that we should as a community develop standards that are similar to the Muggle Primary school standards for education so that future Wizards and Witches do not struggle with things such as Arithmancy when they are Hogwarts age.” She spoke clearly and cleared her voice at the end of the comment.

“Its not only that, I also believe that our children should have the best education possible, that is why I believe that if a family wants to homeschool their children that they be given proper standards to educate them by” she stood firmly, “I also believe that if possible it would be wise to invest in Wizarding Primary schools” she spoke as clearly as possible. Yes she and Miss Culloden had similar ideas but that was expected with parents wasn’t it?

She wasn't going to roll her eyes at Gid. She didn't need his help to make herself heard. Though she supposed this subject was close to his heart. "Well first I feel like I should state that I believe that every child is an individual. They are all different and all have different needs, but I find there is a lack of consistency in the standards with those who homeschool." Mhmm! "Schools have students working as a group so they can get used to being social and can learn together and this is something I feel our students are lacking greatly." she paused for a moment, glancing at the people approaching. "Social interaction is what teaches children right from wrong, what teaches them how to to discover when people are lying, how they learn that lying doesn't benefit them. They have to interact with other people of their own age to understand these things and it's vital to their development." Now, to try not to sound like she was pigeonholing? "I believe that if we can get together a group of parents in each region, we can create 'moving schools'. It's a way for homeschooled children to get together and just learn. Those who go to Primary Wizarding Schools already get this and it would be unfair to children who are not close to these schools to not get this." She understood about not wanting to send the little ones away. "I also think we don't focus enough on teaching them muggle subjects. I'd love for the children to learn science. It's the magic of mother nature and we're all subject to it, why not teach them that?"

She listened to the question about muggle borns and ran her finger over her bottom lip thoughtfully. "That's a good question." Before she could continue, someone else answered. Becca frowned at the answer though and glanced at Gid. Was he hearing this? "If one of my children turned out to be a squib, I would not send them purely to a muggle school simply because they couldn't do magic as well as the others. I would suggest having them learn both magical and muggle subjects. After all, you don't need a wand for every potion, you don't need a wand to look after every plant, you don't need need a wand to understand arithmancy. There are a lot of magical subjects that you don't need to use magic for, you just need to understand it." Back to the question? "I would suggest sending a Ministry employee from the department of education to the family's house a year earlier than we currently do to explain what is happening and give them the choice of moving to the Wizarding Primary for their last year of school or staying where they are. Choice is the essential thing and we need to be able to offer that whilst also detailing how they must be careful about what they say around others."

A wonderful question, she supposed it was to a small extent, though for the most part it was only the very base of a much larger topic. Nevertheless, Seren was pleased to listen, a comfortable smile lit up her face as the woman shared her view.

Developing standards, that was the point, was it not? That much she more or less understood, but what she found was that the woman, Tanner wasn't very direct. No policies?

"I see, though I think you misunderstood my question. The standard, what does it look like? What would you expect all children to know before they reach school age?" Curriculum, social skills, behaviour, contextual understanding. Anything? All she got from the initial response was perhaps something mathematical owing to the understanding of Arithmancy, it was a good starting place, but what more?

It was almost a shame she couldn't make out what the others had said, only had one set of ears after all.

Hearing about the Election booth, Dimitri Burton decided to come and see the candidates of Minister. Interesting. The 28 year-old guy decided to visit the Pre-Hogwarts Education Standards first because he had a son and twin siblings whom they'd come to Hogwarts in a few years. Keenan was still two years old and he thought that he's still too young to be tutored while the twins; Theo and Ava were being tutored by his mother who's also a teacher in muggle school.

"Good afternoon, ladies." He greeted the candidates. Why all of them were women? Did it mean that they were the only ones who concern about the educations. "My name is Dimitri Burton, former employee of Ministry of Magic. I have some questions to all of you. Well..." Dimitri cleared his throat.

"When is the right age to start primary wizarding education? I currently have son and he is still 2 years old. I think that I am gonna introduce him to wizarding education by the time he reaches 4 or 5. Well, according to muggle education system, they start the children's education by the time they are 3 years old at nursery school and then primary school at the age of 4. Do all of you think that the wizards can adopt the same system too?" He did know a little bit about muggle education system since his mother was a teacher there.

"Then, what are the important things that would be taught to them? Like... at the age of 4, they should learn about the difference of muggles and wizards or any other stuffs since some parents prefer to homeschool their children rather than send them to actual school...." He and his wife might homeschool Keenan until he's eleven years old. And lastly... "Do you think some muggle subjects like science or math are necessary to our wizard children? I think those are my questions."

Right after she was finished speaking her opponent started on her views and Victoria stood back so she could have the floor. They each should get their time, so she stood listening, though she didn't agree with most of it. Was she unaware of some of the primary schools coming up around communities and how they actually ran? "I can see parents still going with older ways and doing homeschool and tutoring, my own son who is now a fifth year was taught this exact way, but I have found that these new Wizarding Primary school, the same as which my twins have now started, bring out a more structured setting for socializing and learning throughout the day and then get to come home to a family setting. I agree with my opponents that if families would like to stick with homeschool then they need to follow the curriculum of the schools." This was why there was a need to have a Department of Education again and just as she thought it her opponent said it and she had to tilt her head, "Are you meaning a member of the Board of Governors, because since I've been at the ministry we have not had a Department of Education. It had been closed for a few years before I started." Turning back to the crowd she smiled, "Though that brings a good point. I would like to establish that department again so that they could handle the younger education. We have board of governors and a headmistress to deal with curriculum and things at Hogwarts, but for our primary education the ministry could use this department."

She didn't agree about squibs, well everyone is different. "Where would they be learning this magic, since Hogwarts does not admit squibs? I am not saying I don't agree that they should learn and tutoring could be the answer, but many families that I've come across do send their squib child to a muggle school for the socialization with others children their age. My dear friend and headmaster of the Wizarding Primary is actually looking into this to see if there is a need to have an extension on the school for squibs to continue there." Though she liked the options she still felt she would just go tot he muggle school.

Hearing another question she turned to the man, "Well I do like the muggle educational system for their age. My own daughters are three and have started at the Primary School already." It helped that the headmaster was their father, but still she would have probably sent them even if he wasn't. "Many of the primary schools that are around do start at three, but as a parent I feel that you will be the one to truly know when your child is ready for that setting. I feel we do need to put a rule down that all children should start a basic education whether homeschool, private tutor, or school by the age of five, so that we know they will get the best education they can before moving on to Hogwarts or another wizarding school."

"Those are all very good questions. At age four I would think that a child would start learning their basic language art skills, letter recognition, numbers, the beginning stages of reading and writing, as well as the basic math skills. This type of curriculum would move through the years with them stepping up and growing as they do. I also feel and know that many of the primary schools do go over the difference between muggle and wizarding things, magic appreciation and muggle appreciation." She hoped that helped answer his questions. This was a topic she cared a lot about and having children in this type of school really helped.

Cassie stood back and just listened for a few minutes. She still had to catch up a bit because she wasn't completely familiar with the current Hogwarts standards. After listening for a few minutes, she was beginning to understand a lot better. Everything was different than how wizarding education was handled in America, but that didn't necessarily make one better than the other. They should put together the good points of both. When the candidates had finished answering the previous questions, Cassie spoke. Not to one in particular, but whoever happened to answer first. Maybe even all of them if they all heard her. Whatever. "Do you think the curriculum at Hogwarts is as complete as it could be? Or do you think basic skills that seem very muggle should be continued to be taught as students get older, not just in primary school? And I mean math, science, language skills, and things like that." The typical subjects that would get taught in a muggle school.

Cassie had been to a lot of different countries and experienced a lot of different cultures, both muggle and wizard. Though she didn't know much about the education system in schools other than Salem, she did have a basic knowledge and knew that they were all different. Sometimes vastly different. "How do you feel about transfer students? How would you handle the education differences between the countries? Do you think they should have to pass some sort of test to place them in the year that matches with their intelligence instead of just placing them in the year that matches their age?" Was that completely radical? Cassie didn't really care if it was, it was just a thought she'd had. And there was one more thing. "How do you feel about the fact that other schools have students take the OWLs at an older age so they have more experience? For example, at Beaubaxtons students take their OWLs after six years of study instead of five. Do you think students at Hogwarts are able to match the test scores of students from other countries who take their exams later in life?"

Elliot's vote went to whichever candidate held her child first, and told her how CUTE Felix was.

That was totally fair. And completely a FINE way to determine who Elliot wanted to vote for....not.

She had been listening on her way up, pushing her stroller gently, just...taking in all of their opinions. Intelligent and....not. Tsk tsk. Elliot craved to run for minister. She'd blow these candidates...out of the universe. She was just always...right about most things, you know? Not to mention--who didn't want a beautiful Minister For Magic?

She agreed with a lot of what Mrs. Victoria Culloden had to say. But then other candidates made good points as well--like the redheaded woman--oh Elliot couldn't remember THIS woman's name for the LIFE of her. Ugh. Something with a B, she knew. "Hi--" she said, stepping in, clearing her throat. "Don't mind me--I'm just a potential vote--for one of you, anyways." And she smirked in such a devilish way, as if to remind them they were all competing with each other. "Elliot M--" she cleared her throat. "Elliot Lupin." It took some time getting used to, yes?

How fun.

Then, she poised a question general.

"Can't we tell when a muggle-born person has magic--as soon as they start showing the signs?" she asked, her grey eyes narrowing in on their faces in turn. "Why can't we better prepare them from that point forward--sure. Each child develops in a different way when it comes to magic--that much is obvious. But I feel like muggle-born students are thrown into such a difficult situation--" Though, statistically, it didn't seem to make much difference.

They all did just as well as magical kids.

Taking a sip of water she listened to some people talk amoungst themselves before Cassie seemed to have more questions. Oh, these were a bit more touchy. People were so sensitve when it came to Hogwarts. She wet her lips before speaking again, "Having a child that goes to Hogwarts, I'd have to say that the curriculum is very well thought out. I think the Headmistress, the Professors, and the Board do a very good job at keeping the curriculum strong for students to learn to their best ability. Basic skills are always important no matter the age. I feel Hogwarts still hits them even if they are not in a traditional classroom setting." They work with numbers in Arithmancy even if it wasn't just regular math and writting in all their lessons. So she felt they did get to keep practicing the skills. "I would like a better communication between the ministry and the board and headmistress. I do not wish to run the school nor do I wish to have my nose in there all the time, but just some open communication could really help us help each other. We could know more about the curriculum help compare it to other school, and be there if they ever need us." She knew that they had been part of the school for different situation, but sometimes it felt like they were not on the same page.

"I think it would be a good idea to compare standards and curriculum across countires, not only at School age, but primiary education as well. We need to put top priority to educating our children and that means making sure we are keeping up with the academic world around us." Competition was never a bad thing, and keeping up with other countries was just helping them grow. "I feel transfer students should come with school records, which I am sure they do, so that the school knows their performance there. This helps know where to place the studnet, which mostly is their age, but if a student came struggling and needed the extra year that could be documented as well." Communication was the key and as long as the other school had documented everything she didn't see placement as being a problem.

I feel Hogwarts does and excellent job educating our children and do not see a problem with the OWL's being in the fifth year. When looking at fifth year versus sixth year, there is not much of a gap between study scores. I feel it helps them have the sixth year to rest and begin studying for their seventh year NEWTS. [b] "I do believe Hogwart's studetns can match the test score even if it was given a year early.

Looking to a rather interesting young woman come to ask a question Victoria smiled, "Why yes, the average child starts showing magic between the ages of 5 and 6. Now that is not to say some won't show later, but for the muggleborns I feel that it should be at the parent's wish to educate. So if they do not wish to send their small child to Primary Wizarding schools, then I think studies have proven that they do not have to be part of our community until they attend school to be successful. So I agree with brining muggle borns into the primiary wizarding school if the parents allow." Though many of the parents she felt would be too freaked out to think about sending their child to a primary school that was all witches and wizards.