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As I get ready for bed, I have a few more closing thoughts on today's announcement from @AdrianaLaGrange. The first is about outcomes: what is it that we are trying to measure here? Is this about a better #education for our kids or is it political posturing? #ABleg
From what I understand, the kids are getting a pretty good education. Their marks would seem to indicate that is true. Can you strive for better? Absolutely. Can you do better when the expectation is to tighten belts further? Maybe. But what is the expectation here? #ABleg
We heard from both the minister & from @yyCBEdu saying they want to do what is right for students. Can that really be attained when the 2 sides don't see eye-to-eye? But do we (as voting public) want the CBE to simply be an arm of the government? #ABleg
There is one big argument against that & it involves elections. Why should the education system bend & potentially break because of a change of government? Isn't education an essential service? We kinda need school, no matter the government or the economic reality. #ABleg
Again, by no means am I advocating for a blank cheque. What I'm getting at is that we are seemingly making things up on the fly every year instead of providing a baseline expectation for education. Hard to budget for the future when your revenue streams come from government.
This isn't an easy conversation to have because it isn't easily wrapped up in a couple tweets. And frankly, I know a lot of people are glossing over reading my rants on #education. But these are conversations we need to have if we want our kids to learn. #ABleg
We need to have a holistic conversation about funding that includes curriculum, transportation, program choice, teacher compensation, class sizes, inclusive education & much more. It all works together, as long as everyone understands what we are talking about. #ABleg
And yes, I realize people think I'm biased because my wife is a teacher. And maybe I am. But I also know what she (and friends who are also teachers) goes through on a daily basis. I have volunteered numerous times in the classroom. I also covered education as a reporter.
I am a big boy & I am capable of forming my own opinions on subjects. Most of my opinions were actually formed before I met my wife. But getting to see what happens in a classroom helped refine what I already knew. I recommend it for everyone. #ABleg
Far too many people are commenting on the state of education without having been in a classroom in the last 20 years. Things have changed. I guarantee that it isn't how you remember it. So many variables at play. Here's just one: inclusive education. #ABleg
Many of us grew up in a classroom where there was a separate room & teacher for the special needs kids. That doesn't happen now. Everyone is together & with no supports. So when one kids falls behind, it slows everyone else down. The range of abilities in classrooms is vast.
A class of 25 grade 4 kids could have some kids reading at a grade 1 level & some at a grade 7 level. You could try to bring the lower kids up but you slow down the higher kids or you could go at the higher level & leave lower kids in the dust. Decisions, decisions. #ABleg
I could legit go on for days about this stuff. But to go full circle on this rant: what are we trying to achieve here? Are we going to invariably sacrifice quality for cost because we haven't had the class size conversation (as an example) & expect more with less? #ABleg
Are we going to shake up the system entirely & get rid of boards altogether? Are we going to open up the market for more options to help with the pressures in the public system? Or are we just biding our time until the eventual battle between #ABleg & the ATA? #yycbe
Like I said earlier today, I have so many questions. It all boils down to vision here. What is the vision for #education in #Alberta? Are we going to continue with the status quo or are we going to shake things up eventually? Stay tuned. Night all! #ABleg
