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‘Opinions in media’ Category

  1. student mental health & “schooling”

    February 18, 2019 by Tunya

    Globe & Mail had a 2 page article on “escalating demand” for mental health services on campuses, Feb 15, 2019. ‘Students and schools wrestle with a mental health crisis” There were just 10 comments. My two comments follow:

    University students mental health crisis PART I

    Reading this 2-page special feature on the escalating demand for mental health services on our campuses makes me sad.

    At the same time I’m outraged.

    I attended a significant education conference last weekend — Working Out What Works. Organized by a UK group called researchED we heard speakers highlighting education practices that are supported by evidence. We heard that many in the field — teachers and researchers — are embarrassed that teaching cannot be called a true profession. A semi-profession — maybe. It had yet to “grow up”.

    We heard that “fads and frills” and new unproven teachings were widespread. Something called “21st Century Learning” was preparing students for uncertain futures. And this was the trend globally.

    Many practising teachers from BC and Alberta said they felt affirmed upon hearing of the best research on teaching of reading and mathematics. Cognitive research was shared and it was revealed that some present teaching styles could actually be harmful, leading to confusion. Knowledge was being diminished.

    I’m wondering if this mental health crisis on campus is a result of ill-educated school grads?

    University students’ mental health crisis PART II

    When a psychiatrist also says there is a crisis we should listen. Don’t we care that students suffer mental health issues on campus? BUT, the doctor says it’s doubtful that counselling would help much. In my previous post I speculated that perhaps students were ill educated. As a grandparent I’ve seen a lot of poor school practices over the years, and some parents actually state that it’s all “crazy-making!”

    Let’s consider that further. Isn’t it obvious that students would be short-changed if the best teaching was being withheld from them? It just so happens that cognitive research in the last 20 years is indeed proving that some methods are more effective while others are discredited. Yet, the education field is notorious for refusing evidence informed practices in favor of some latest big idea!

    This paper, Putting Students on the Path to Learning, if understood by our education leaders would soon challenge these trendy methods — constructivist, discovery, problem-based, experiential and inquiry-based teaching. Confusion, misconceptions abound!

    It’s time to investigate this one possible factor in addressing this crisis.

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

  2. ESA for special needs

    January 9, 2019 by Tunya

    https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-from-the-comments-has-inclusive-education-gone-too-far-educators-and/

    Here is another alternative for education of special needs children: Education Savings Accounts.

    What if the per capita amount was put into an account for a parent to use as they see fits the student’s needs? Ask the parents if they would like the ESA choice:

    What would you do with $11,000 per year ($1,000 kept by government for administrative purposes) for your child’s education?

    1. Make sure a psychosocial academic assessment is in place about strengths and limitations.

    2. Buy specialized private tutoring for reading, math, etc.

    3. Be able to afford specialized experiences like therapeutic horseback riding, musical instruments and lessons, to suit the interests of the child.

    4. Attend a private school that would accommodate child’s special needs.

    5. Purchase specialized computer, curriculum, textbooks, supplies for special needs.

    6. Afford therapies indicated — speech, physiotherapy, positive behavioral skills, etc.

    7. Join parent support groups and social events for students.

    8. Would you like to customize your child’s education?

    ESA — https://youtu.be/bPEkK5nfu3Y

    [comment to G&M re Educating Grayson, Jan 5, 2019]

     

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

  3. $4 per child to test for reading ability

    December 8, 2018 by Tunya

    My comment to SUN article re upcoming teacher/government negotiations   https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/b-c-schools-2019-expect-funding-review-teacher-shortages-contract-negotiations

    Reading this well-researched article and the attached links convinces me that our education system in BC certainly needs a new funding approach. There are so many demands on the scarce taxpayer dollar, so many parties with their priorities, and parents still clambering for the rationed services needed for special needs students.

    And the broader public still has not been consulted nor allowed to weigh in. One comment to the Sun story already suggests that a new model of provision should factor in a larger online education service. This, he proposes, would “do wonders for the skyrocketing costs as well as probably get the students back to learning the three R’s”.

    I particularly like his emphasis on the 3 R’s and if we read the story carefully we see that many parents are concerned about students’ ability to read — the foremost and primary skill all students should be assured of. A simple test given to Kindergarten students, costing $4 each, for example, would identify those who need specialized reading attention early. This would save costs right from the start because further expensive psychosocial tests ($3000 ea) would not be needed for many of these students if early intervention succeeds. And, very costly remediation programs now in place wouldn’t be needed.

    Another comment from a reader suggested tapping into new resources instead of the old standby of burdening taxpayers further. He suggested returns from pot or liquor sales could be tapped. I would suggest that charities and foundations or even simple fund-raising could help find that urgent $4 per Kindergarten child to launch them on the road to confident reading. The right to read is one right we should all get behind.

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

  4. Is it TABOO to ask if a school-shooter can read?

    March 27, 2018 by Tunya

    Why is the taboo question never asked? Why are these schoolboy-killers targeting schools? Do they have a particular grievance with schools?

    I think that the first thing that should be determined about these killers is if they can read. Not just read words, but also actually decode unfamiliar words. We have known for a long time that young students who cannot read by the end of Grade 3 start a downward slide in self-worth and start acting out. This is called in the education literature as the Matthew Effect. Unfortunately it is mainly a small percentage of boys who experience serious reading problems and these students really need dedicated decoding training in the alphabetic code, generally called phonics. There are tests that if applied early could be used to provide that special training if the school does not use it for all students, as they should.

    Such a reading test applied to delinquents or school-shooters would quickly determine if they could read. Plus, check their school records. What if a pattern emerges that these criminals suffered acute school failure in their early years simply from not having been taught to read?

    [Published as comment #180 https://www.dailysignal.com/2018/03/21/not-always-like-this/]

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

  5. Civics, SJW, Edina, Anti-Gun Student Protests

    March 7, 2018 by Tunya

    The weeks after Florida School Shooting, Feb 14, 2018 sees increasing student unrest and anxiety.  Some protests are being subsidized by self-interest groups. Concers about civics education are being raised.  See Joanne Jacobs – From anger to activism: is this civics education?

    http://www.joannejacobs.com/2018/03/from-anger-to-activism-is-this-civics-education/         My comment below, March 6, 2018

    I think civics education should be about government in general, how we are governed and how people, voting citizens and others (those too young to vote or others nor registered as voters), can participate in a democracy.

    Schools are expected to socialize students to live in a democracy and be active participants in their school life. I do not think they should be encouraged, directly from their lessons or their reading materials, to be social justice warriors.

    I find it disturbing that a good number of books have already been published in that regard. And, some are for the early primary years at that! Here are a few titles:

    • A is For Activist

    • A Rule is to Break – A Child’s Guide to Anarchy

    • Tales for Little Rebels, a collection of radical children’s literature

    Mind you, with a balanced approach, and with good discussion, I think these books can be part of valuable discussion. But, care should be taken that the curriculum does not bend that way. As it did in Edina.

    Joanne did mention Edina Schools in an earlier post about scores slipping when an ‘equity’ focus was adopted http://www.joannejacobs.com/2017/10/scores-slip-after-equity-focus/ That was last year.

    But Edina continues in its radical agenda with the latest story getting international attention: “a leading edge of a full-scale ideological reeducation campaign”. I wonder if they will be participating in these student protests currently in vogue? See the story: Inside a public school social justice factory http://www.weeklystandard.com/inside-a-public-school-social-justice-factory/article/2011402

    One Grade 10 student on the Rate My Teachers site said: ““This class should be renamed . . . ‘Why white males are bad, and how oppressive they are.’”

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

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