I haven't posted for a while, had to be careful after one deleted for Mumsnet Rules, so I hope to have followed the rules properly this time as Michael Gove is obviously divisive here but it is a subject I feel strongly on, people on the other side have had their turn on this forum to reprehend him strongly indeed. I knew to expect "Anti-Gove Fundamentalist" sentiment strong here from my past "lurking". I am not a "Luvvie" who automatically support all of Gove reforms but overall he is to be applauded.
From Muslim perspective education is very important particularly for the hope of our girls' future: one thing making me sad is how a few fathers still think they have the right to deny or hinder the education of females 
, attendance laws have been in for decades but still girls kept off from 12-13 or even "home" to ancestor country- links in with forced marriage 
) When Ray Honeyford challenged this sexism in 1980s he was done over on trumped up "Racism" charge. I detest Islamophobia but expecting girls to be allowed to have education IS NOT islamophobic, it is enforcing girls' rights. Rant over on this score...
Therefore it is definitely not acceptable for state system which the 90% must rely on to be weakened, watered-down, corrupted. For 30 years this has been happening undoubtedly, the teachers' unions are just EXTREME on this issue.I have to say, though controversial, I am overall pleased that this is not ANOTHER year of "record pass rates for the 1 millionth year running", i exaggerate a little. Our population DO NOT become more intelligent every single year so this inflationary bullshit needs to go- GOOD RIDDANCE!
I feel empathy for the pupils finding out lower than expected scores, it is not their fault whatever goes on in machinations of political circles while they have been busy being children and attending school; but ultimately I must applaud the end of Grade Inflation. It should not have to ruin anyone's life if employers accept that stricter standard will be used when comparing results since the exposure of the cheating fiasco (disgusting even if not officially illegal, like semi-legal ways Ministers cheated the expenses system, but worse as the education of our children is in jeopardy.) Of course some employers will be Being Unreasonable and not do so, this is not exam board or government fault.
"Teacher Bashing" seems to be used a lot, sure many politicians have been hostile to teachers but Gove trusts them, this paranoia about free schools = "evil capitalism", and corporate compulsion is excessive: I see him as generally respectful of the teaching profession as it deserves apart from the Extremist left-wing who control the unions, too often they are the public face of it to people without current contact with school life, and if so no surprise people will "bash" teachers! Media and government figures, they should know better than to attack the profession as a whole.
Also Gove has defended faith schooling, it is DEFINITELY necessary to have a strong advocate for that given the way Muslims' principles are treated in many schools, we do not send our 14 year old daughters to school to tell their teachers how they are caught up sexually with boys and they not disclose this important information to us- ridiculous absolute secrecy policies overriding our parent child relationship, nor to get birth-control behind our backs, nor do we send our impressionable young sons for their formation to learn that Islam is "intolerant" and anti-Muslim lies or imply that the humanistic post-modernism and sexual revolution is the only option to live. Maybe this type of teacher thinks they know better than a parent practising tradtional morality, due to "the richness of their experience" when "we haven't had that experience" paraphrase SONIA SOTOMAYOR. Christians will be our allies here and those non-theists who accept how important faith is for others.
He is with me on the behaviour issues, on teachers' authority (there you go trusting teachers) not pupil privilege to misbehave- enough of the exculpationist crew with their "NO, not their fault they misbehave, you see- it's all about intersectionality of poverty, social exclusion, child protection issues and so on... oh no, don't punish them,be a good compassionate progressive, don't exclude them... EXPULSION, how can you use that reactionary word, you want to hang and flog the children next!"- you know the sort of exculpationist rhetoric I speak of, even if exaggerated for effect. Gove has the right idea NOT to non-responsibilize young people for their misdemeanours, see 2011 riots.
He is with me also on a traditional respectable English, Maths and History curriculum with greater core knowledge content and no easy option of endless modules and endless re-sits, you don't always get 5 chances to do one job bit by bit in real life. extenuating circumstances maybe, not normally. School must once more prepare for working life.
I do not think Michael Gove perfect but much better for supporting family values, faith, discipline & educational excellence than Labour could be. These are very MAJOR parts of what society is built on.