Parents ‘n Schools

As per the post a couple days ago, I attach below the guiding statement of Alberta Education’s “Inspiring Education” initiative. I thought I might break it down into component parts and discuss.
… the value of education as a foundation for the future civic and economic success of the province.
I don’t expect much discussion will arise […]

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(GLO — May 2009 — I note with interest a recent news report that the Alberta government is considering reducing funding that its community development department provides for playgrounds. On its face, that sort of thing sounds troubling. But, as per below, if what it means is no funding through earmarked community funds for schooling […]

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I have attached below the guiding statement of the Alberta government regarding its present initiative branded “Inspiring Education”, which is undergoing a public discussion phase with meetings in communities across the province through the coming months, culminating in a three-day gathering in October. Go to Alberta Education’s website and the Inspiring Education home page at […]

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(GLO — May 2009 — In this world of increasingly inaccurately named “provincial achievement tests”… they’re not measuring achievement, per se, so much as they are auditing compliance… I am reminded of this analogy. The world of pipelines and distribution of commodites like natural gas and water is analogous in certain ways to delivery and […]

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Bill Bryson in his “A Short History of Nearly Everything” describes the universe’s Big Bang in this fashion:
“Although everyone calls it the Big Bang, many books caution us not to think of it as an explosion in the conventional sense. It was, rather, a vast, sudden expansion on a whopping scale. So what caused it?… […]

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I maintain that Bill Bryson’s “A Short History of Nearly Everything” should be a gift to every entering Grade 10 student, and required reading through high school. I believe it would ignite an appreciation for science of all variety. Here’s my favourite page:
“If you imagine the 4.5 billion odd years of Earth’s history compressed into […]

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(GLO — May 2009 — Don’t know what made me think of this one…)
Have you tried the “Bookstore” button over there to the left? Have you? You really must. Totally cool technology from the folks at Amazon (you mark my words, that company is going to be BIG someday).
Well, I clicked on it the other […]

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“When people are in a group, responsibility for action is diffused.” Malcolm Gladwell, The Tipping Point.
A fundamental problem for parents ‘n schools is that nobody… and I mean NOBODY… champions and advocates for parents’ interests (above all other interests) exclusively.
Another fundamental problem for parents ‘n schools is that everybody… and I mean EVERYBODY… champions and […]

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In the news recently in Alberta is a Bill before the Legislature amending the provincial Human Rights legislation in certain ways, including a clause which amends the provincial School Act and the way schoolers are to govern themselves in relation to instruction in the areas of religion, sexuality and sexual orientation. Schoolers have voiced objection […]

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(GLO — May 2009 — I still think this is a good idea. I don’t get many good ideas, but I think this is a good one.)
Have you had occasion to ride in a school bus recently?
A field trip, maybe?
I suppose kids don’t really notice this, and I expect few mention it if they […]

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