HIGHLIGHTING EDUCATION CONSUMERS – 2014
At a time when education has become Big Business it is fitting to pause and ask: Is the mission of education being fulfilled? Are consumers getting value from tax funds collected for the purpose of public education?
Here is a quick worldview of some highlights in 2014 and signs for the future. What would you like to add?
1. VERGARA LEGAL SUIT (California) — Student constitutional rights to a quality education were seen as violated due to teacher protections — tenure, dismissal and layoff provisions — with even greater unfairness in poor neighborhoods that did not qualify for best teachers. The lawsuit resulted in the judge’s agreement with the 9 students pursuing the case, ordering improvements in state statutes.
2. EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNTS (ESA) was an idea, turned into a model, which places education dollars into the hands of parents instead of “the system”. Arizona has forged the way for this modeling. http://thefederalist.com/2014/09/09/these-lucky-parents-get-to-control-their-kids-state-education-money/
3. AUSTRALIAN CURRICULUM REVIEW highlighted the need to get parents more involved — handbooks with easily understood curriculum goals were recommended. Also, parental concerns regarding illiteracy emerged. The Report recommended that phonics be used in primary years to teach reading and that teacher training faculties must prepare teachers for phonics or lose their accreditation..
4. DISCOVERY MATH BACKLASH in Alberta (Canada), where thousands of parent petition signatures triggered a hold on this 21st C Learning effort — as well as casting a shadow over the coming entire curriculum overhaul slated for March 2016. The message to the Ministry from parent groups is that it is key that the Ministry listens to parents, not just the educator side of the enterprise.
5. TEACHER STRIKE & PARENT PAYOUT happened in British Columbia (Canada). When school was to start again in September and the teacher strike was continuing from June the Minister of Finance foresaw the predictable inconvenience to parents. To find other education opportunities or daycare for children under 13 a payout of $40 day during the September shutdown was arranged. This served to validate parents’ primary role in education.
6. PARENT INTERVENTION IN LEGAL EDUCATION MATTERS GAINS HEADWAY. While the democratic principle of having voice in state decision-making that affects one is generally observed, this is not the case in education where parents are snubbed in teacher/government collective bargaining and education court cases. In BC while a parent intervention application was dismissed but a business intervention application was approved in an ongoing education court case an application by parents in Florida was successful. A teacher union legally challenged school choice legislation and a group of parents were granted intervention standing.
7. PARENTS, NOT THE STATE, ARE PRIMARY IN EDUCATION — says the newly elected State Superintendent of Education in Arizona. In voting parents were given the chance “to reclaim sovereignty over their kids' education and minds” said the literature. http://blog.independent.org/2014/12/03/raising-arizona-voters-agree-with-incoming-superintendent-diane-douglas-that-parents-not-the-state-are-primary-in-education/
8. MORE SCHOOL CHOICE, COMPETITION & PARENT POWER IN EDUCATION — That is the New Year’s (2015) wish of a trustee in Florida. http://www.redefinedonline.org/2015/01/wishing-for-more-school-choice-competition-parent-power/
[This review was posted on three sites: Education Consumers Clearinghouse, EDUCAN and Educhatter. I received positive feedback and hope to add supplements, and certainly looking forward to, at year end of 2015, to produce another review. I invite comments and especially additions to the GOOD NEWS consumers — parents, students, taxpayers and well-meaning friends of the client cause in face of ever-encroaching producer capture — can appreciate. TA}