On January 17, 2011, 18 people gathered at DS MacKenzie Junior High in Edmonton, Alberta to learn more about the new Education Act, which was expected to be introduced into the Spring Session of the Legislature (which it was).
After listening to my PowerPoint presentation ( Let’s Talk the New Education Act FINAL ), participants looked at three parts of a proposed Draft Framework document that was circulated in early October 2010 by the Minister and Alberta Education: 1) Preamble statements, 2) Governance and Responsibilities section and 3) Financial Responsibility section.
Based on the questions and comments raised by participants, a Summary Report ( Questions on the New Education Act FINAL ) was prepared by me and circulated to the Honourable Dave Hancock, Minister of Education and MLA for Edmonton-Whitemud, to Mr. Fred Horne (MLA Edmonton Rutherford), to my fellow colleagues on the Edmonton Public School Board, to the subscribers of my Insights e-letter, and posted on this site (January 25 blog posting).
A few questions were:
“How does the new legislation differ from the current School Act? What was the vision before? What are the barriers to making all of this a reality?”
“There appear to be lots of responsibilities, but no evidence of any resources. Will this Act continue to add more responsibility to the public school system (special needs, medical issues, family issues) without the supports in place? We need more money and access to other support systems instead of trying to provide all the services. Teachers cannot be social workers, nurses, psychiatrists, etc., but need quick and easy access to those professionals to provide the best help to the students.”
“With respect to the Access to Education section, which covers who the Province and school boards are responsible for educating, I would strongly like to recommend that the age for entering school be raised. My personal observation is that many of the children I see in my work on the Attendance Board are “young” for their grade. If they started school later, would this help reduce both the dropout rate and attendance issues?”
