Quote:
Originally Posted by Iowa_Flames_Fan
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.
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It is not my ideology that governs my beliefs but my beliefs that govern my ideology.
Well I think it is a misconception that the WRA wants to change the education system into the American system. And it can be argued that it is the public system in the US that is disfuncational. Regardless, like I have said, I don't believe Alberta's system is the worst system out there. I am not sure why people keep saying that WRA wants private schools. Thats not it. basically it is the exact same as the public system, anyone is free to send their children to a charter school and would not be required to pay any money. It just allows for more competition. Now, I am not going to debate this any more because it is exactly the same arguement as health care. Should we have competition or not. That is basically what it boils down to.
As for your comment about preparing our teens for the real world, it doesn't. More and more graduates can barely read, they don't know how to write properly, they don't know the laws of the land, they don't know responsibility. I don't care what you say, they are not being prepared properly. And to be frank, a teacher wouldn't know. The people who would know would be employers, post secondary educators, police, judges, ect. These are the people that deal with the students once they graduate.
Anyhow, I have derailed this thread to much continue on....