Please meet Jasmine. She's a wonderful little girl who is being denied an equitable education. Yes, she has some major challenges, but shouldn't we be taking care of her just as any other child in our school system?
https://www.facebook.com/SupportJasminesRightForAProperEducationInBcCanada
There are some situations where special kids can not be mainstreamed. But this does not dissolve our government from giving her an equitable education.
When our kids are told they must stay home from school for whatever reason, that should not absolve the Ministry of Education from their responsibility to educate. When any child is required to stay home from school, there needs to be an adequate plan in place to ensure their educational needs are being met.
Jasmine and other kids like her are being denied an education because of their challenges. Who is going to advocate for these kids?
Update: Jasmine's parents have taken the Facebook page down for personal reasons.
Tuesday, 23 April 2013
Friday, 5 April 2013
What Exactly ARE Your Parental Rights in Education?
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
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
Thursday, 4 April 2013
Anybody Care About Their Education? - Special Needs Students Being Told to Stay Home
Spoke to a couple principals and a school board member regarding this issue and received some great feedback.
Kids are sent home when the school doesn't have the ability to properly take care of them or they are a major disruption to classes. This is NOT done lightly and only after consultation with the parents. My concern would be this consultation process. There is no set standard. I have heard of no formal District best practices either. It is up to each school to handle as they see is appropriate. I'm not sure I trust this method. I'd like to see a set of provincial Best Practices. Parents come in a variety of forms and not all with the same social abilities as others. This can be very problematic to fairness.
The parents I've spoken to, with 1 exception, were unaware they had any choices or input into how it's handled. They thought they really had no choice so simply accepted what was being offered. This is not totally the fault of the teacher or the administrative staff. Parents need to step up and ask questions. Complaining to a 3rd or 4th party isn't productive. Parents need to be educated.
The other challenge I'm finding is the impact on families when kids need to stay home all or part of a day. It can be a great financial hardship to arrange for this care. A parent or caregiver, who is not a teacher, is now required to pick up the slack. I wonder if this extra cost is fair to the parents. And more important, are these kids being denied a proper education because of a disability? That's the big question really here. Budgets are not there to adequately educate these kids. And families are not given extra money to help educate the kids. So, who is advocating for their education?
Serious question here folks.. who is advocating for their education?
Kids are sent home when the school doesn't have the ability to properly take care of them or they are a major disruption to classes. This is NOT done lightly and only after consultation with the parents. My concern would be this consultation process. There is no set standard. I have heard of no formal District best practices either. It is up to each school to handle as they see is appropriate. I'm not sure I trust this method. I'd like to see a set of provincial Best Practices. Parents come in a variety of forms and not all with the same social abilities as others. This can be very problematic to fairness.
The parents I've spoken to, with 1 exception, were unaware they had any choices or input into how it's handled. They thought they really had no choice so simply accepted what was being offered. This is not totally the fault of the teacher or the administrative staff. Parents need to step up and ask questions. Complaining to a 3rd or 4th party isn't productive. Parents need to be educated.
The other challenge I'm finding is the impact on families when kids need to stay home all or part of a day. It can be a great financial hardship to arrange for this care. A parent or caregiver, who is not a teacher, is now required to pick up the slack. I wonder if this extra cost is fair to the parents. And more important, are these kids being denied a proper education because of a disability? That's the big question really here. Budgets are not there to adequately educate these kids. And families are not given extra money to help educate the kids. So, who is advocating for their education?
Serious question here folks.. who is advocating for their education?
Wednesday, 3 April 2013
Sorry, Your Child Can Only Come to School a Half/Day? Really?
When is it OK for schools to tell parents their kids can not attend for more than a few hours? Where can I look for answer?
I'm talking to a woman in Surrey, who says her ASD child is not allowed to spend more time because they don't have the staff. WoW! We have a face to face meeting later in the week. Also have heard from a parent whose child does not have a diagnosis, but is in elementary school and has behaviour challenges. Runs outside, throws things, etc. And that child is told they can't come for a full day.
What are parents rights to getting an education for their kids? I'm going to read through School Act guidelines and see what it says. I know some Districts may have their own rules as well.
I understand that a child can not be in class when they are a danger to others, to themselves, etc. But, what is a reasonable excuse? There seem to be no firm guidelines or formal process. I know that when a child is made to stay home, they do not get additional funding for schooling at home.
I think this is a big deal people!
I'm talking to a woman in Surrey, who says her ASD child is not allowed to spend more time because they don't have the staff. WoW! We have a face to face meeting later in the week. Also have heard from a parent whose child does not have a diagnosis, but is in elementary school and has behaviour challenges. Runs outside, throws things, etc. And that child is told they can't come for a full day.
What are parents rights to getting an education for their kids? I'm going to read through School Act guidelines and see what it says. I know some Districts may have their own rules as well.
I understand that a child can not be in class when they are a danger to others, to themselves, etc. But, what is a reasonable excuse? There seem to be no firm guidelines or formal process. I know that when a child is made to stay home, they do not get additional funding for schooling at home.
I think this is a big deal people!
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.
Tuesday, 12 March 2013
Premier Christy Clark for BC Partners in Education - Thumbs Up
BC Partners in Education is very honoured to receive a letter of support from Premier Christy Clark. The BC Liberal government recognizes the vital role parents play in our education system.
I am pleased to share her letter of support with you!
I am pleased to share her letter of support with you!
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