Parents ‘n Schools

(GLO — January 2010 — From a year ago before Christmas… in case you’re still searching for a rationalization for this year’s recent Christmas gifts.)
As you wrap those presents of internet-capable cell phones, simulation software and Facebook accounts, don’t think of them as toys or games… think of them as “college preparation”. Because that’s […]

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The latest AISI Scoop reports excerpts from a study done of full day kindergarten in Edmonton of a small collection of schools in “at-risk” areas of that city (Jose da Costa, University of Alberta). The study concluded that providing full-day kindergarten was beneficial to children’s literacy after Grade One, although the effects seemingly “wore off” […]

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Not sure I’ve included this here before, but this was a submission some time back that I sent in as commentary on a paper done for national literacy study:

National Strategy for Early Literacy

Submission of Gordon L. Otto
Calgary, Alberta
Author, http://www.parentsnschools.com

As touched upon in Janette Pelletier’s paper titled “The Role of Parents, Families […]

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One of the most highly regarded business books of last year is Alan Webber’s “Rules of Thumb”, wherein he articulates insightfully and creatively 52 “truths for winning at business without losing your self”. At the end he invites the reader to share their Rule 53. Here’s one from me.
“Schooling is a buffet experience.”
The “every child […]

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(GLO — January 2010 — From a cold day about one year ago, a reminder that backstop supply is important in genuinely essential services. Schooling is essential. The absence of deliberate, reliable, selfless systems to “backstop” delivery within government schooling suggests that the “government” part is not the essential bit at all. Not sure they […]

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From Whitney Tilson’s daily blog comes this excerpt extracted itself from a Washington, D.C. area site. It offers insight into the schooling experience, from a new entrant into the profession:
‘Looking Back on a 1st Year of Teaching (in DC)’
Three papers, an oral presentation, two exams: a typical week for fall
mid-terms at Princeton. When I was […]

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(GLO — January 2010 — From about one year ago, this essay reminds that the best way to learn how any system, business or enterprise works is to follow the money. Where it comes from. Where it goes. That generally illustrates its real reason for being. The schooling business, I submit, is no exception.)
“What […]

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Why, as the Nobel economist Milton Friedman encouraged, should we use the term “government schooling” and not “public education” to refer to the work of the vast bulk of schools, schoolers, school boards and schooling authorities in Alberta specifically and North America generally? A couple reasons:
1. As the Chinese proverb advises, the beginning of wisdom […]

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(GLO — January 2010 — As big as the business of government schooling is, it really still does need all the help it can get. Not sure what that says. Possibly that the job is just really big. Possibly that the resources are just simply not enough. Possibly… that it’s just not being done right. […]

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It ain’t just every child that is unique and special in government schooling. Every opinion about schooling is unique and special, too. And if there are approximately 1.5 million people involved in government schooling in Alberta (students, parents, schoolers), there are approximately 1.5 million opinions about how to “improve” and “inspire” the experience.
That is my […]

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