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1/n Here are some thoughts in no particular order on the Charter School issue for your consideration. If anyone has questions or challenges to my statements please reply with& I'll happily address them tomorrow.
I also note & respect the tone of this prior discussion.
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I also note & respect the tone of this prior discussion.
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2/n Charter Schools aren't meaningfully part of "public system" in any real form. There is no collaboration or co-planning. There is potential for private profit. They do not take "all" are not equally accessible to all. They are Private schools that get 100%, not 70% op funding.
3/ Why doesn't current public system offer more specialised schools like EG STEM? Because the way we currently operate Public/Catholic/Private school system completely hampers freedom of a properly formed & operated public system from making those decisions & taking those risks.
4/ 1/3 ish of all students or schools in Public / Catholic category are in Catholic & don't cooperate, co-plan or share data with public. Imagine trying to run an org or business if 1/3 of money, infrastructure, data was unavailable to you - & was operating counter to you.
5/ This sets up defensive protectionist mindset, & already creates instances of LESSENING of choice (not more). Two rural schools with 250 kids each is significantly less able to produce programs of choice, or fund specialist equipment. Less bands, teams, drama, STEM - not more.
6/ Before convo about need for Charter schools (or any others), one needs to start with a blank piece of paper & address the question, "What does the absolutely best education system for Albertans, our children, our tax dollars & the future look like?"
This question must be first
This question must be first
7/ Otherwise we are just sticking band-aids & work arounds on the wildly unfair, unequal & not just just inefficient, but actively counter-productive system that has grown, layer by imperfect layer over time with some groups & systems given incredible protection & privilege.
8/ So before anything else - it is my position that we need to start with a blank piece of paper and ask that one simple question.
"What does the absolutely best education system for Albertans, our children, our tax dollars & the future look like?"
"What does the absolutely best education system for Albertans, our children, our tax dollars & the future look like?"
9/ Some of the issues of the current status quo - our education system is horribly inequitable & strongly favors existing privilege. Even the Public system is essentially a two-tier system between post code & pay packet due to underfunding & lazy geographical district borders.
10/ One can posit the idea that competition breeds advancement - but this isn't always true. Besides, given the legislative protection & privilege given other school types, Public is competing with one hand tied behind it's back.
11/ If you want to know why or whether a Public district can establish (EG) specialised STEM schools then first you have to give Public districts an even unshackled playing field.
12/ FTR I have no problem with Public districts opening specialist schools under these "free" conditions - because those making those choices will be doing for ALL their kids. Those more gifted, more narrowly focussed, that need more assistance, those that need more room to boom.
13/ And all the others somewhere in between. The problem comes when one separate group of people are making decision just for ONE group with public education dollars, without any consideration for any negative impact on the other 'public' kids.
14/ Imagine 4 local public schools being efficiently & considerately balanced to preserve quality & access to programs & choice. Each has a school basketball team.
They compete together, & OUTSIDE of the school system a private club exists to give the better players more scope.
They compete together, & OUTSIDE of the school system a private club exists to give the better players more scope.
15/ The schools all get to have basketball programs where the less skilled still get to play, & to do so in a well equipped environment with quality coaching & systems.
The elite players get join out of school programs & continue progress.
The elite players get join out of school programs & continue progress.
16/ But now a specialist Basketball school opens. And it opens with the education dollars from EVERYBODY. Not just people with kids in school. ALL Albertans.
Take a moment to image what happens to the Basketball programs in those 4 schools?
Take a moment to image what happens to the Basketball programs in those 4 schools?
17/ The Basketball school says it's open to EVERYONE.
But in reality it isn't. When there's wait lists & networks & relationships & in-groups there's never really fair & open access to all.
Does anyone really believe short kids aren't going to get discriminated against?
But in reality it isn't. When there's wait lists & networks & relationships & in-groups there's never really fair & open access to all.
Does anyone really believe short kids aren't going to get discriminated against?
18/ A further problem with standalone specialist schools is they discriminate against those who do not have the financial means or the time to transport their kids the further distances to these schools.
19/ Specialist schools even unintentionally cannot fail but to be less accessible to those with English as a 2nd language or those less aware of their existence, or as an option.
20/ To rap up this meandering thread, I guess I would say;
1/ Before doing anything else the education system as a whole needs to be re-evaluated & reconsidered for the fairest, most equitable & accessible quality ed system for all, based on responsive infrastructure & efficiency
1/ Before doing anything else the education system as a whole needs to be re-evaluated & reconsidered for the fairest, most equitable & accessible quality ed system for all, based on responsive infrastructure & efficiency
2/ Taking public money, information & control away from the public education system & giving that money to private special interest groups (however well intentioned) is self-defeating.
3/ Public system should ALWAYS be give 1st option & ability to deliver specialist programs.
3/ Public system should ALWAYS be give 1st option & ability to deliver specialist programs.
4/ We only need Public schools & Private schools. Everything is a ridiculous mess getting in the way of progress, efficiency (best edu return on investment) & real choice delivery.
Best funding % can be explored & varied.
Best funding % can be explored & varied.
23/ Current Public system isn't perfect. It discriminates against less wealthy & those kids that genuinely do not flourish within certain structured systems.
But specialist schools WITH public money OUTSIDE of public control only increases that inequity & weakens ed as a whole.
But specialist schools WITH public money OUTSIDE of public control only increases that inequity & weakens ed as a whole.
24/ Congratulations on your Uber Basketball school where the kids are above average height & the families above average income.
Two Public schools lost best coaches & players & program stopped. The other 2 schools have lower quality teams & progs & now travel further for games.
Two Public schools lost best coaches & players & program stopped. The other 2 schools have lower quality teams & progs & now travel further for games.
25/ It *IS* possible to create enviro for BEST players AND ALL the other kids. But this is done when decisions get made with ALL the infrastructure, information & funding available & with the BEST consideration for EVERY child. Not just one elite group.
Want that, go Private.
Want that, go Private.
26/ If you aren't considering what is best for EVERYBODY then you aren't really operating within the realm of "Public Education".
