Quote:
Originally Posted by jolinar of malkshor
Show me proof that it is working and running effectively. Look, I am not saying Alberta's education system is a complete pile of crap, but it isn't the best not even close and it is getting worse.
First off, who said anything about private schools? Like I said, the WRA plan would be to allocate funding per child and allow parents to decide which school their child would go to ie: public or a charter. A charter is not a private school and it is not for profit. And, do you really need me to explain why competition is important in any field including education.
Don't take it so personal, this isn't attack against you or teachers. Why are you so closed minded about change? Do you really think that how our education system is set up for junior high and high school prepare children for the real world? Lets take that even further, primary education is heading down a road where children's feelings and self esteem are more important that teaching them and ensuring they know the proper curriculum. From my experience it is not really up to the school or teachers if a child should be held back anymore, it is up to the parents...and it usually shouldn't be up to the parents.
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Man, the hand-wringing about Canada's public school system really cracks me up--and it's especially ironic given that to the south of us is an utter failure of a public school system--and that's what the WRA wants to emulate, with its vouchers and school choice policies.
Look: I've taught recent high school grads in both countries. Believe me when I tell you this: Canada's high schools and junior high schools are preparing people for "the real world" just fine. Don't let your ideology blind you to the fact that we have it pretty good up here--and certainly don't let your ideology guide you down the path of emulating the gong show that is the U.S. primary education system.
The fact is, if you want to send your kids to Private school, you already have that choice. What you apparently want is to use public money to do it--and I don't think that's a fair or proper use of taxpayer funds. If you want public money, send your kids to public school. Pretty simple.
As for the issue of whether it's democratic to cross the floor, here's my take: of course it's democratic. These MLAs were voted in to represent their constituency, and if it's their judgment that they can best represent the voters by crossing the floor, then that is what they must do.
The fact that many voters erroneously believe that they vote for the party and not the person is irrelevant. In fact, political parties and party discipline are the real threat to "democracy" here, not duly elected legislators taking actions that are both democratic and proper according to parliamentary traditions and rules.