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March, 2016

  1. Soft Terrorism descends on teaching of reading

    March 28, 2016 by Tunya

    A Soft Terrorism Plagues the Reading Field

    “Remember, reading is ‘caught’, not ‘taught’ “— that is the phrase I heard in an audiotape last year. This was part of a training program for volunteers who had offered to help a literacy initiative in a school district in British Columbia. What that small phrase alone tells me is that the method being used to teach reading was of the Whole-Language variety.

    In most of the Western world two reading methods continue to compete for dominance — Phonics or Whole-Language. Only in Germany was W-L outlawed for the purely practical reason — it was tried in 80s but after disastrous results was declared bad practice.

    The reason I classify this contest as “soft terrorism” is because a general intimidation has settled on the reading issues where most people are now pussy-footing and refusing to use these inflammatory words — “phonics” or “whole-language” !

    Marilyn Jager Adams in her forward to Jeanne Chall’s book, The Academic Achievement Challenge (2002 edition) said:
    “ . . . reviewing the research on phonics, Chall told me that if I wrote the truth, I would lose old friends and make new enemies. She warned me that I would never again be fully accepted by my academic colleagues . . . Sadly, however, as the evidence in favor of systematic, explicit phonics instruction for beginners increased, so too did the vehemence and nastiness of the backlash. The goal became one of discrediting not just the research, but the integrity and character of those who had conducted it. Chall was treated most shabbily . . . “

    This imposed silence needs to be confronted if there is to be headway made in the goal of teaching reading to all children as a right — a goal enunciated by most nations and peoples in statements that echo the belief that life chances depend on the foundation skill of reading. UNESCO and other well-meaning agencies are planning huge efforts to address the illiteracy problems of the “developing” world, yet one document has already recognized a lurking obstacle: “The reading “wars” are alive and well in many low-income countries, often miring ministries of education and teaching centers in seemingly endless debates between the “whole-language” and “phonics-based” approaches.” (pg 4 Early Grade Reading Assessment Toolkit)

    http://www.amazon.com/Academic-Achievement-Challenge-Really-Classroom/dp/1572307684/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1459204949&sr=1-1&keywords=academic+achievement+challenge+chall

    Category Absurdities, Book Reviews, Education Reform, Malpractice, Uncategorized | Tags: | No Comments

  2. Parents squeezed out in Alberta Schools policy

    March 23, 2016 by Tunya

    THE ALBERTA STANDOFF ILLUSTRATES VERY SERIOUS PROBLEMS

    The problem with sarcasm is that a percentage of readers just might actually agree! It could even be parents or teachers or public in general who would endorse whole-heartedly this cynical, acid, sneering post entitled — “Don’t Tell Father”. The way things stand in public education today I would guess that a good number might actually agree that “it would be better if schools didn't tell parents anything.”

    I like the post but would have added a disclaimer at the end — eg: ‘Of course, folks, you do realize this is sarcasm! “

    Anyway, I think what is being played out here is serious and requires urgent attention. My 3 comments to the story so far:

    PARENTAL VETO & PARENTAL SOVEREIGNTY ARE AT STAKE

    The Parent Veto is an awesome thing and is constantly under attack by usurpers of parental primacy in education. In 2011 when a surge of votes propelled Alison Redford to instant Premiership of Alberta it was claimed that three promises to the teacher establishment were the key to her electoral success. It was easy for her to quickly find $107Million in extra education funding and to scrap Gr 3 & 6 standardized tests. The third demand — abolish the parent veto — was never accomplished due to parent backlash.

    These expanded conditions in the new LGBTQ initiatives seem to undermine parental authority and sovereignty over their minor-aged children. There should be more thought and attention paid to the legal implications, especially since the line of responsibility for a child’s education rests first with the parents and then with the state as a backup service to parents

    THE MAIN ISSUE — STATE VS FAMILY

    These state initiatives to exclude or diminish families usually come from the Point-of-View of those on the left of the political spectrum. What is happening in Alberta concerning LGBTQ issues illustrates how creeping statism makes its gains at the expense of individuals.

    This issue reminded me of Hillary Clinton and her statements last year about how education is a “non-family enterprise” — http://www.c-span.org/video/?c4534543/hillary-says-education-non-family-enterprise

    Further related stories about Hillary’s worldview about education and the raising of the next generation are found in these topics as listed — Hillary Clinton against homeschooling, HC – it takes a village quote, “I believe the primary role of the state is to teach, train and raise children”, HC – parents have a secondary role, etc.

    Look this up on the Internet (Hillary Clinton – education a non-family enterprise). There was a lot of commentary crystallizing the two sides — state vs family — and this priceless comment stands out: “The education of our children is best served when the family enterprise is fully engaged.”

    DEMOCRACY IS NOT JUST SIMPLY RULE BY THE MAJORITY

    At least one comment raises the principled point that it’s not only WHAT government does but HOW that’s an issue. There seems to be a “confrontational approach” at play, says the commentator.

    In his book — Parental Involvement and the Political Principle: Why the Existing Governance Structure of Schools Should Be Abolished — Seymour B Sarason says that schooling should engage the minds, hearts and voices of parents, students and teachers together. The political principle he discusses is the obvious one of consulting those affected before policies are enacted. It doesn’t appear that the political principle was engaged in this Alberta scenario. But “politics” certainly was!

    Category Absurdities, Education Reform, Opinions in media, Uncategorized | Tags: | No Comments

  3. Parent Veto — Alberta

    March 22, 2016 by Tunya

    Parental Veto & Parental Sovereignty Are At Stake

    Alberta is again faced with a squeeze-play on parental rights and duties.

    The Parent Veto is an awesome thing and is constantly under attack by usurpers of parental primacy in education. In 2011 when a surge of votes propelled Alison Redford to instant Premiership of Alberta it was claimed that three promises to the teacher establishment were the key to her electoral success. It was easy for her to quickly find $107Million in extra education funding and to scrap Gr 3 & 6 standardized tests. The third demand — abolish the parent veto — was never accomplished due to parent backlash.

    These expanded conditions in the new LGBTQ initiatives seem to undermine parental authority and sovereignty over their minor-aged children. There should be more thought and attention paid to the legal implications, especially since the line of responsibility for a child’s education rests first with the parents and then with the state as a backup service to parents.

    http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/calgary/calgary-meeting-lgbtq-cbe-1.3502884#commentwrapper

    Category Absurdities, Opinions in media, Uncategorized | Tags: | No Comments

  4. Teacher Unions Use Shady Tactics

    March 21, 2016 by Tunya

    Teacher Unions Use Shady Tactics

    Here is the case of Michigan Education Association (the teacher union) working hard to retain its members who now have the right to opt-out resulting from Right To Work Legislation. Rather sneaky tactics have been employed — only one month (Aug) allowed for opting-out, address changes where letters must be received by due date, etc. http://www.mackinac.org/21632

    Though not unique in its behavior as a militant, adversarial teacher union, here, from their handbook on Crisis Planning is how they counsel members as they prepare for strikes:

    “The Heart of an Effective Crisis Campaign
    “In terms of a bargaining message, the public responds most positively when we talk about children, quality in the classroom and the future.

    “Here are some messages that have been successfully used . . .

    •  Our working conditions are your child’s learning conditions.
    •  It’s not about dollars and cents; it’s about our children.
    •  School employees support your children. Please support your school’s employees.

    “Consider these questions when making decisions about community PR:

    •  Does it create urgency to act so that children and their education won’t suffer?
    •  Does it disrupt normalcy and destroy the mood that everything in the district is fine?

    “Consider guiding principles as you plan crisis activities:

    •  The threat of action is usually more powerful than the action itself.
    • Pick a target — personalize — and polarize the opposition.

    I call these “shady” tactics, but apparently they’re normal procedure.

    Our public education systems across the world are vulnerable to capture by vested interests — for economic, ideological & dominance purposes. They are neither under civilian control nor well served by governments too eager to appease for the sake of labor peace.

    Reform efforts are piecemeal and efforts like right-to-work legislation have little benefit to children’s futures in their lifetimes. The only promising far-reaching move is for governments to direct earmarked education dollars directly to the consumer as Education Savings Accounts do. This is a movement that has already gained 5 adopting US states and eager interest in a good number more. Canada needs to seriously talk about this model.

    Category Obstacles, Teacher Unions, Uncategorized | Tags: | No Comments

  5. time to talk “alternatives”

    March 20, 2016 by Tunya

    Time To Talk ALTERNATIVES

    The public education system can not and will not reform itself. The vested self-interests of the players — the “producers” as economists might label — are comfortable with the status quo. Pay, benefits, job security, status are well-assured.

    The parents, students and paying public — the “consumers” as economists would call this side of the coin — are largely kept in the dark about real costs and waste and are cajoled by sweet-talk into accepting a more-or-less seemingly smooth operation of schooling for the young.

    BUT, stories of rip-offs keep hitting the news. Subsidies to unions to pay staff from the public purse are a small part of the problem. We hear stories about administrative padding in school boards that grows at a faster pace than enrollment of students. On on it goes.

    For those not brave enough to home educate their children, or rich enough to buy extra tutoring or private schooling, the choices are few. Those who thrive on a captive, obedient audience are quick to strongly oppose any alternatives parents may entertain — vouchers, charter schools, tuition tax credits, etc.

    Well, there’s “a new kid on the block”, so to speak, about education alternatives that is inspiring both the consumer side of the system and legislators. In the United States at least 5 states have already adopted the model of Education Savings Accounts. Here is a video and more information can be found on the Internet — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPEkK5nfu3Y

    A BIG surprise came in two days ago when Senator McCain introduced a federal bill to provide ESAs to American First Nations Children living on reserves and who might wish to choose private schools instead of Bureau of Indian Education schools. They would get an account worth 90% of the BIE allotment for a school of choice. https://www.redefinedonline.org/2016/03/education-savings-accounts-native-american/

    Time to start talking about public education money in Canada following the child to a school parents choose that would best fit the child’s needs. Time to look into the merits and possibilities of Education Savings Accounts in Canada.

    [posted SQE on topic “A Horse That Never Dies”]

    Category Education Reform, GOOD NEWS, Uncategorized | Tags: | No Comments

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