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Lukaszuk encourages education providers to "replicate" charter school programs
Education continued to receive attention as the legislative assembly resumed its spring sitting following a constituency week. Featured here are highlights of some of the issues raised in question period from March 5–15.
Charter Schools
March 12—Moe Amery (PC—Calgary-East) asked Minister of Education Thomas Lukaszuk what government’s review of enrolment caps would mean for charter schools, such as Foundations for the Future Charter Academy in Calgary. Lukaszuk replied that government has allowed existing charter schools to "right size" themselves by enrolling the maximum number of students the schools can absorb. Amery asked Lukaszuk why, given the size of the waiting lists for charter schools, government would raise parents’ hopes. Lukaszuk assured the house that government would continuously review charter school enrolment. He encouraged other education providers to look at and replicate charter schools programs. Amery asked Lukaszuk when charter schools would be able to access infrastructure funding. Lukaszuk replied that the provincial budget contains no specific provisions to increase infrastructure funding for charter schools.
Funding for Private Schools
March 5—Kent Hehr (LIB—Calgary-Buffalo) asked Lukaszuk whether he believes that pitting schools one against another by encouraging them to drive one another out of business is the best way forward. "I have always said that having good, healthy, child-focused, curriculum-focused competition is what makes Alberta the NHL of education systems in the world," Lukaszuk replied. "Parents have choice, and they choose where they want to send their children. That is healthy competition." Hehr asked Lukaszuk whether he wants to increase private and charter school enrolment to the detriment of the public education system. "I want kids going to schools that the parents approve. I want kids going to schools where they are getting world-class education, as they are. I want parents to have choice," Lukaszuk replied. Hehr asked Lukaszuk to justify "this apparent embracing of an American-style education system." Lukaszuk replied that Alberta’s education system is considered one of the top four systems in the world because the province has excellent teachers and supportive communities, because government makes education a priority and because parents have choice.
March 15—Hehr asked Lukaszuk whether government supports the Wildrose Alliance’s "money-follows-the-child philosophy" that could lead to 100 per cent funding for private schools. Lukaszuk replied that he fears the Wildrose Alliance’s education ideas. He added that government would "continue the heritage of excellence in education." Hehr asked Lukaszuk whether government is committed to providing 100 per cent funding for private schools. Lukaszuk replied that government is committed to ensuring that parents have choice. He added that, because private school parents pay education property taxes, it makes sense for them to benefit from those taxes. Hehr asked Lukaszuk why he has sold out the public education system to right-wing groups. Lukaszuk replied that a majority of children attend public schools. He added that all schools except private schools receive full public funding.
Parental Choice in Education
March 6—Genia Leskiw (PC—Bonnyville–Cold Lake) asked Lukaszuk whether government continues to support the principle of education choice and home education. Lukaszuk replied that it does. "We pride ourselves in Alberta on the plethora of choice that’s being offered to parents. It is one of the pillars of Alberta Education that makes our system so renowned," he said. Leskiw asked Lukaszuk to assure parents, including home educators, that they would maintain the right to exempt their children from programming on such topics as religion and human sexuality. "It’s important to the premier and to every member of this caucus that any and all rights and protections that home schoolers enjoyed in the past continue in the future," Lukaszuk replied. Leskiw asked Lukaszuk whether government intends to change any aspect of home education. "No," Lukaszuk replied. "The fact is that home schoolers are providing fabulous education to our children in Alberta. They are enjoying the protection under the law, and this protection will remain just the same."
asked Lukaszuk whether government continues to support the principle of education choice and home education. Lukaszuk replied that it does. "We pride ourselves in Alberta on the plethora of choice that’s being offered to parents. It is one of the pillars of Alberta Education that makes our system so renowned," he said. Leskiw asked Lukaszuk to assure parents, including home educators, that they would maintain the right to exempt their children from programming on such topics as religion and human sexuality. "It’s important to the premier and to every member of this caucus that any and all rights and protections that home schoolers enjoyed in the past continue in the future," Lukaszuk replied. Leskiw asked Lukaszuk whether government intends to change any aspect of home education. "No," Lukaszuk replied. "The fact is that home schoolers are providing fabulous education to our children in Alberta. They are enjoying the protection under the law, and this protection will remain just the same."
