Alberta Politics & Government Thread 3.0

[you&me]

Originally Posted by calf

Average isn't the best metric - I hate when news stories quote averages. Median, or even a regional average is more relevant. If a class in Calgary has 35 students but a class of the same grade in Crossfield is 15, your average is 25, but that's not really helpful to the Calgary classroom..

I know that the stats nerds like to wax poetic about median vs. average any chance they get, but it helps to consider what you're replying to before jumping in. (Not calling you a stats nerd, per se, just that it seems likely someone's going to jump in any time average is mentioned).

You even said so yourself, that a "regional average is more relevant", so it seems that you would even agree; in the context of that statistic, average would be a fine metric... Since it was referring to the Toronto District School Board, which sounds pretty regional to me.

And even though there wasn't any other context in the article, it seems pretty safe to infer that if the TDSB measures class sizes against the ON provincial benchmark, then most likely the benchmark is measured per school division or school board, which would likely address the issue of averaging Calgary and Crossfield in the example you made... CBE would be one average, CSSD would be another and whatever-the-#### school board runs Crossfield would be another, etc etc, all measured against whatever benchmark the province set... But now we're veering into fantasy land, because we know the UCP would never set a class size benchmark hahaha

[powderjunkie]

Originally Posted by malcolmk14

Incorrect

What is the remedy if they fail to meet this obligation?

[GGG]

Originally Posted by you&me

I know that the stats nerds like to wax poetic about median vs. average any chance they get, but it helps to consider what you're replying to before jumping in. (Not calling you a stats nerd, per se, just that it seems likely someone's going to jump in any time average is mentioned).

You even said so yourself, that a "regional average is more relevant", so it seems that you would even agree; in the context of that statistic, average would be a fine metric... Since it was referring to the Toronto District School Board, which sounds pretty regional to me.

And even though there wasn't any other context in the article, it seems pretty safe to infer that if the TDSB measures class sizes against the ON provincial benchmark, then most likely the benchmark is measured per school division or school board, which would likely address the issue of averaging Calgary and Crossfield in the example you made... CBE would be one average, CSSD would be another and whatever-the-#### school board runs Crossfield would be another, etc etc, all measured against whatever benchmark the province set... But now we're veering into fantasy land, because we know the UCP would never set a class size benchmark hahaha

Another problem is how the denominator is calculated

If it’s class size = students divided by teachers that isn’t a real metric as it doesn’t account for prep time.

It also becomes interesting if librarians or VPs with teaching duties count as teachers in these calcs.

[Point Blank]

Originally Posted by GGG

Another problem is how the denominator is calculated

If it’s class size = students divided by teachers that isn’t a real metric as it doesn’t account for prep time.

It also becomes interesting if librarians or VPs with teaching duties count as teachers in these calcs.

Back when class sizes were reported, admin were counted in the denominator.

[#-3]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

I work in the private sector and have unlimited paid sick days.

I work in the private sector, was unaware of a limit. But one of my staff had an issue where started bumping up against a soft limit (very legit illness), hr called me and asked me to talk to him about either collecting some short term disability benefits or knowing that he would be tapped out for sick days the rest of the year, and future illnesses would be vacation or unpaid.

I think there is always a limit.

[fotze2]

Originally Posted by #-3

I work in the private sector, was unaware of a limit. But one of my staff had an issue where started bumping up against a soft limit (very legit illness), hr called me and asked me to talk to him about either collecting some short term disability benefits or knowing that he would be tapped out for sick days the rest of the year, and future illnesses would be vacation or unpaid.

I think there is always a limit.

My American owned company had a very defined 5 day limit. Americans absolutely loathe Canadian benefits that are normal here. I did short term for my surgery for my 2 months. It was pretty good $2500 per week tax free. RBC insurance would have totally allowed longer but I was feeling very guilty and came back way too soon.

[FacePaint]

I used to be the same way, getting frustrated and finding that one anecdote of a co-worker that was always sick. Then a good friend pointed out to me that maybe, just maybe, I should appreciate that I'm not sick... That I'm not unwell.

I would much rather be at work doing what I can in my craft to help out society and be paid a full wage. To think that most people would rather have a chronic illness is absurd and I would argue not healthy for the person making the accusation.

People abusing benefits and entitlements are few and far between. And funny enough it always seems to be a story from a friend of a friend.