Are you interested in learning more about your parental rights in education? We are having small gatherings across the Lower Mainland talking about parental rights and community involvement in education. Topics vary based on what's going on in your district.
Personally, I would like to see a more open work history of our teachers. A teacher can be disciplined at one school and transferred to another without parental notification. Sorry, but that's not acceptable. These teachers spend so much time and have major influence on our children, this history needs to be disclosed to parents directly.
What topics in particular interest you? Any questions about what you can do when you have an issue with school?
If you're interested in joining a discussion, or hosting one of your own, please give us a shout. We'll be happy to help out with any materials we can.
In partnership,
Melanie
Showing posts with label Ed Reform. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ed Reform. Show all posts
Friday, 5 April 2013
Saturday, 30 March 2013
Parents Bound to Collective Agreements and Local Contracts?
Nobody has been able to answer me yet, but I'm wondering if parents are bound to the collective agreements and any local contracts.
I'm thinking about this mostly in regards to strike action. But I'm sure there are others areas where it can also be applied. Parents have not signed anything giving up their rights to anybody else. Any negotiations regarding collective agreements, strike action and local issues that affect me have not gotten my approval. I am not saying that all areas need to have parental approval, but certainly more parental consultations into what is eligible for strike action, etc, should be allowed.
I'd like to see more efforts made by districts and DPACs to get this type of information out to all parents. The fact that teachers can refuse to give out report cards is ridiculous really. The fact that a parent can have an issue with their child and be told, "Nope, bell to bell" My union won't let me talk to you. I could get in trouble." Seriously? Definately doesn't fly with me and I know many others as well.
I am not really sure how this would look, but definately think more parental input into areas of bargaining that affect them is required. Big time!
I'm thinking about this mostly in regards to strike action. But I'm sure there are others areas where it can also be applied. Parents have not signed anything giving up their rights to anybody else. Any negotiations regarding collective agreements, strike action and local issues that affect me have not gotten my approval. I am not saying that all areas need to have parental approval, but certainly more parental consultations into what is eligible for strike action, etc, should be allowed.
I'd like to see more efforts made by districts and DPACs to get this type of information out to all parents. The fact that teachers can refuse to give out report cards is ridiculous really. The fact that a parent can have an issue with their child and be told, "Nope, bell to bell" My union won't let me talk to you. I could get in trouble." Seriously? Definately doesn't fly with me and I know many others as well.
I am not really sure how this would look, but definately think more parental input into areas of bargaining that affect them is required. Big time!
Is Teacher Quality Really Most Pressing Issue Facing #BCEd?
Very good blog post on Teacher Quality by @mrrcho on Twitter. He is an excellent follow if you're on Twitter. Very insightful, a genuine advocate for education. Thank you for letting us repost your article!
The Misconceptions, False Assumptions, and Unasked Questions that Drive “Teacher Quality” Discussions in #BCED
I agree with the author that Teacher Quality is not the big issue it's made out to be concerning our education system. Although there are some areas related to Teacher Quality that I feel really need to be addressed, overall, I'd say that it's not even the most pressing. The most pressing issue in BCs education system is the dysfunctional relationship between the BCTF and the government. Hands down.
The majority of teachers in BC are top-notch and worth much more respect than they're currently getting. I think if the issue of this dysfunctional relationship can be tackled, we'd see teachers and their noble profession getting the respect it deserves in BC.
I'd like to hear your comments.
The Misconceptions, False Assumptions, and Unasked Questions that Drive “Teacher Quality” Discussions in #BCED
I agree with the author that Teacher Quality is not the big issue it's made out to be concerning our education system. Although there are some areas related to Teacher Quality that I feel really need to be addressed, overall, I'd say that it's not even the most pressing. The most pressing issue in BCs education system is the dysfunctional relationship between the BCTF and the government. Hands down.
The majority of teachers in BC are top-notch and worth much more respect than they're currently getting. I think if the issue of this dysfunctional relationship can be tackled, we'd see teachers and their noble profession getting the respect it deserves in BC.
I'd like to hear your comments.
Friday, 1 March 2013
Article from Sanford on Effects of Teacher Quality on Learning
Thank you to L.M. from Salmon Arm for forwarding me this document, THE NEW EDUCATION MALPRACTICE LITIGATION by Ethan Hutt & Aaron Tang.
I have finished most of it and found it quite interesting on the effects of teacher quality being paramount to a successful student.
I highly recommend you read it, but understand it could take awhile!
THE NEW EDUCATION MALPRACTICE LITIGATION
I have finished most of it and found it quite interesting on the effects of teacher quality being paramount to a successful student.
I highly recommend you read it, but understand it could take awhile!
THE NEW EDUCATION MALPRACTICE LITIGATION
Saturday, 23 February 2013
Education by Michael Stuart - Guest Blog
Follow Michael on Twitter here
Education. It’s a small word, but a big topic in today’s landscape. In British Columbia, it seems that education is becoming increasingly political. Is that a good thing, a bad thing, or does it even matter? That’s not for me to decide. Before going any further with this little piece I’ve agreed to write for Melanie, I’d just like to take a moment to introduce myself to any readers who either don’t know me, or would like to know a little bit more about me.
My name is Michael Stuart, and I’m a second year student at the Alberta School of Business at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. Born and raised in British Columbia, I spent 13 years as a student in BC’s public education system. Politically, I am a staunch fiscal conservative with a great desire to protect taxpayer interests while furthering the efficiency of our expenditures. Simply put – I want your tax dollars to go as far as they possibly can. After all, you worked hard for them, and it’s important that you get value for your money.
Like I said in the opening paragraph of this piece, education is a big issue. It seems that we can’t get through a school year without word of a dispute between the British Columbia Teachers’ Federation and the sitting government. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that this isn’t an overly effective arrangement for students, parents, or taxpayers. Where’s the community involvement? Who’s out there truly advocating for kids while the BCTF advocates for two billion dollars in teacher benefit increases? Who’s looking out for your kids while the government cuts funding to key areas in our system while ignoring teacher quality issues and inefficient spending practices? To me, that’s where Melanie and her initiative come in.
I’ve seen numerous teachers attack Melanie for being anti-teacher because of her initiative, but the reality is that if you, as a teacher, believe that more parent and community involvement in education is a bad thing, you probably shouldn’t be teaching at all. After all, education is a community good; it doesn’t belong to the BCTF or politicians in Victoria. As the old saying goes – “it takes a village.”
My fight for education reform begins and ends with teacher quality. I believe that, as a community, we have to stand up to ensure that our children (well, your children) have the best educators at the front of the classroom. The BCTF continues to talk about class size and composition as though they are the only things affecting your kids’ learning; the reality is that neither of those things is of consequence without an effective educator standing at the front of the class. I often find myself asking this question to those who seek me out (not naming any names) on Twitter – what’s better for a kid, an effective teacher in a class of 29 or an ineffective teacher in a class of 25? The answer is so obvious that this question really doesn’t need to be answered.
The problem, right now, is that neither of the major parties in our education system today seems ready to fight for teacher quality. The teachers’ federation is unwilling to admit that some of its members are better suited for careers outside of the classroom, and the government is unwilling to fight against the teachers’ federation’s well-oiled machine. It’s a vicious circle. That’s where community comes in. You pay the taxes. You’re the client. Your children and their futures are at stake. You, yes you, can take a stand. Melanie’s initiative, Partners in Education, is a great avenue for folks like you and me to take that stand and fight for teacher quality. As a former student, I know the difference that a good teacher can make in the classroom. It’s like the difference between night and day. So, with that said, why don’t we start talking? Let’s start the conversation. Let’s make sure that no child is left at a disadvantage because of an ineffective educator.
Thanks to Melanie for giving me the opportunity to write here. I’ll continue to advocate for teacher quality, and I won’t give up until we see some change. You can follow me on Twitter - @MichaelIStuart
Education. It’s a small word, but a big topic in today’s landscape. In British Columbia, it seems that education is becoming increasingly political. Is that a good thing, a bad thing, or does it even matter? That’s not for me to decide. Before going any further with this little piece I’ve agreed to write for Melanie, I’d just like to take a moment to introduce myself to any readers who either don’t know me, or would like to know a little bit more about me.
My name is Michael Stuart, and I’m a second year student at the Alberta School of Business at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. Born and raised in British Columbia, I spent 13 years as a student in BC’s public education system. Politically, I am a staunch fiscal conservative with a great desire to protect taxpayer interests while furthering the efficiency of our expenditures. Simply put – I want your tax dollars to go as far as they possibly can. After all, you worked hard for them, and it’s important that you get value for your money.
Like I said in the opening paragraph of this piece, education is a big issue. It seems that we can’t get through a school year without word of a dispute between the British Columbia Teachers’ Federation and the sitting government. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that this isn’t an overly effective arrangement for students, parents, or taxpayers. Where’s the community involvement? Who’s out there truly advocating for kids while the BCTF advocates for two billion dollars in teacher benefit increases? Who’s looking out for your kids while the government cuts funding to key areas in our system while ignoring teacher quality issues and inefficient spending practices? To me, that’s where Melanie and her initiative come in.
I’ve seen numerous teachers attack Melanie for being anti-teacher because of her initiative, but the reality is that if you, as a teacher, believe that more parent and community involvement in education is a bad thing, you probably shouldn’t be teaching at all. After all, education is a community good; it doesn’t belong to the BCTF or politicians in Victoria. As the old saying goes – “it takes a village.”
My fight for education reform begins and ends with teacher quality. I believe that, as a community, we have to stand up to ensure that our children (well, your children) have the best educators at the front of the classroom. The BCTF continues to talk about class size and composition as though they are the only things affecting your kids’ learning; the reality is that neither of those things is of consequence without an effective educator standing at the front of the class. I often find myself asking this question to those who seek me out (not naming any names) on Twitter – what’s better for a kid, an effective teacher in a class of 29 or an ineffective teacher in a class of 25? The answer is so obvious that this question really doesn’t need to be answered.
The problem, right now, is that neither of the major parties in our education system today seems ready to fight for teacher quality. The teachers’ federation is unwilling to admit that some of its members are better suited for careers outside of the classroom, and the government is unwilling to fight against the teachers’ federation’s well-oiled machine. It’s a vicious circle. That’s where community comes in. You pay the taxes. You’re the client. Your children and their futures are at stake. You, yes you, can take a stand. Melanie’s initiative, Partners in Education, is a great avenue for folks like you and me to take that stand and fight for teacher quality. As a former student, I know the difference that a good teacher can make in the classroom. It’s like the difference between night and day. So, with that said, why don’t we start talking? Let’s start the conversation. Let’s make sure that no child is left at a disadvantage because of an ineffective educator.
Thanks to Melanie for giving me the opportunity to write here. I’ll continue to advocate for teacher quality, and I won’t give up until we see some change. You can follow me on Twitter - @MichaelIStuart
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