The Alberta Teachers’ Association

The following are excerpts from newspapers throughout Alberta. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the ATA.

Let’s have collaboration not legislation

“Under Bill 44, notification and opt-out option on sex education has been expanded to include religion and sexual orientation. The amendment to the Alberta Human Rights Act now states that schools must: ‘provide notice to a parent or guardian of a student where courses of study, educational programs or instructional materials, or instruction or exercises, prescribed under that (School) Act include subject matter that deals explicitly with religion, sexuality or sexual orientation.’ The wording is surprisingly specific. Still, what seems like a narrow definition is already being broadly interpreted, with Alberta Education and some politicians at odds over whether notification is required for courses on evolution. ... Informing parents and increasing their involvement in their children’s education is a laudable goal, but one better achieved through a collaborative approach rather than potentially divisive legislation.”
—Editorial, Calgary Herald, September 1, 2010
www.calgaryherald.com/health/Parents+rights+needed/3467497/story.html

Driving schools the model for education system?

“Allowing students to enter the next grade in school, regardless of their performance, undermines the credibility of the public education system, something that is not allowed to happen in driving schools. ... When students are promoted from grade to grade without mastering the requisite skills and knowledge in the previous grade, teachers are expected to adapt to this fact in their instruction and evaluation. As these students continue from grade to grade, the diversity in the classroom is likely to increase, and this means that teachers are likely to have increasing difficulty in providing suitable instruction for all the students. This greater classroom diversity can be attributed to social promotion, and we think it is an unfair burden on teachers. Social promotion is a misguided policy that undermines the effort that many teachers rightly make to sustain academic standards. ... Instead, educational authorities should enact policies that help teachers do what is best for their students.”
—Michael Zwaagstra, Red Deer Express, August 25, 2010

Universal learning environment is a wiser approach

“A public school in Airdrie is going to see students choosing a ‘major,’ and then placed in classes according to their interests—in Grade 2. The kids would have indicated their interests earlier—kindergarten and Grade 1. The interests are defined in four groupings: Sports and Athletics; Fine Arts; Math-Science Innovation; Languages and Literacy. ... One of the advantages, among numerous mentioned, is an anticipated increase in provincial achievement test scores. ... Parents should watch closely this experiment involving children who have barely finished potty training. A universal learning environment that allows children to share their special interests together, rather than through segregation, seems a better way to broaden their tiny little horizons.”
—Editorial, Red Deer Advocate, August 13, 2010
www.albertalocalnews.com/reddeeradvocate/opinion/advocate_view/Career_choices_at_Grade_2_100623624.html

Students could be pitfall of experimental program

“On the same day of news reports that a school in Airdrie will allow seven-year-olds to choose their own major fields of study came another report of an Airdrie teenager who lacks the penmanship to write his own name. ... When a teenager lacks a basic skill necessary to function in the world, it is little wonder that critics are questioning the wisdom of an experimental program at Airdrie’s R.J. Hawkey Elementary School that will allow children to choose one of four key interest areas ... The mandated provincial curriculum for them will be taught through one of four specialized ‘lenses’ befitting the children’s selected field of study. ... Researchers at the University of Calgary will monitor and assess the R.J. Hawkey program. U of C educational psychology chair Sharon Cairns anticipates decreased absenteeism, decreased discipline problems and an increase in academic achievement. Fingers crossed. For, as she notes, ‘Probably the greatest pitfall is that children, as they’re developing, can change their interests in a matter of months.’”
—Editorial, Calgary Herald, August 13, 2010
www.calgaryherald.com/Proceed+with+caution+kiddie+majors/3392654/story.html