“Smoking Gun” Tells A Lot More Than “He says, she says” !
[This is the case of a school in Vancouver, an “inquiry school”, which on Day 1 had Grade 7 students given a number ID, assigned to a “faction”, and arbitrarily punished or rewarded by teachers. There was no consent nor information to parents. They were asked to keep this “confidential” via email. 2 stories appeared in the Globe & Mail with many comments. Google — Vancouver school role-playing.}]
Yes, parents can now be found to support of this Salish Sea project. A whole host of people can come forward with opinions, interpretations, apologies, etc.
BUT, the fact remains — we have one glaring piece of hard evidence, Exhibit #1, that lays bare a whole litany of educational transgressions — the letter to parents, Sept 6, 2016 http://www.theglobeandmail.com/static/interactive/graphics/0908-nw-na-experiment/District%205488%20Overview%20for%20Parents.pdf
Here are just a few of the violations to highlight:
√ surprise — Not only were the students unaware of the project, but so were the parents. Informed parental consent is not mentioned so obviously this was not done. Parents are to be involved by “playing along”, “help them debrief” but always to keep this “confidential” from their children. (Parents will actually be betraying their children’s natural trust that they would keep them out of harm’s way!)
√ playing with the minds of children (ages 12/13) — These are some of the emotions that the children might display — “overwhelming”, “off putting”, “discomfort”, “we expect and want students to experience a range of emotions”.
√ depersonalization — Students are given a number ID, called “followers” and are assigned to a “faction” where “The Establishment . . . arbitrarily demotes/promotes”.
All this is in the letter that closes with this pacifying and cajoling point: “Always focused on the core competencies and BC Ed Curriculum, students will engage in a variety of activities that will help them build the capacity and skills needed for deep inquiry. "
Is this role-playing being done in the name of the Ministry of Education?
What is my background to be so disturbed by all this? In the 70s my young children were in a VSB experimental school program from which we soon withdrew after a research report showed students behind in reading and math. I was a member of a parent group (non-PTA) active in improving parent involvement (a new superintendent from Que was hired) and our group received a grant from the Federal Secretary of State to found a service to help parents be involved. One of the first things we did was to codify parent rights in education from sources from around the world (NZ, AU, USA, UK, etc.).
Amongst the rights was this one about Safeguards:
“To expect strict supervision over new programs, innovations and experiments, and that parents have special rights in these instances:
• to receive a written description of the program, rationale, goals and supporting references
• to grant or refuse permission for their child’s attendance
• to receive satisfaction that the program is run by qualified, well-prepared personnel
• to be involved in the ongoing evaluation.”
In view of technological and cultural changes I think it’s high time that Family Rights in Education be updated and brought forward to address 21st C Learning concerns.
[ Globe & Mail re Norma Rose Point School, Vancouver — Role-playing experiment at Vancouver school aims to nurture critical thinking https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/education/role-playing-experiment-at-vancouver-school-aims-to-nurture-critical-thinking/article31785408/ Sept 09 '16
Vancouver school suspends ‘process drama’ role-playing exercise https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/education/vancouver-school-suspends-process-drama-role-playing-exercise/article31822423/ Sept 11 '16 ]