Education Act 2011 Proposed Framework: A Sampling of Feedback

The Hon. Dave Hancock blogged about some of the transformative changes that will come with a new Education Act, "The Informed Transformation of Trusteeship." Be sure and read through all the comments that follow this posting.

Dave King, a former Education Minister under Peter Lougheed and more recently the Executive Director of the Public School Boards Association of Alberta, has been following the School Act Review closely. He has written a couple of thought-provoking blog posts on the proposed framework and natural persons powers for school boards.

The idea forum on the Inspiring Action webpage is now up and running. Its purpose is to engage stakeholders in meaningful discussion around the issues. Check out the idea forum dedicated to the proposed framework - there are a few comments posted.

One of the changes being contemplated is raising the legal age for leaving school. A CD Howe report provides some insight and has this to say, "Whatever the reasons, one clear recommendation of this paper is that if provinces are serious about raising the school-leaving age, they need to effectively enforce these laws and promote their potential benefits to administrators, parents, and students. For another perspective, you can read the MacLeans.ca article, "Raising the dropout age won't work."

The Hon. Dave Hancock has discussed the possibility of appointing trustees to augment an elected board. Some of the appointees may be a First Nation parent or a student. Dale Hudjik, president of the Association for Responsive Trusteeship in Edmonton Schools (ARTES),asked an interesting question concerning the appointment of trustees. "How will this be different than what is provided for in the School Act today?
60(2) A board may(e) provide for the payment of travelling and other expenses
and honoraria to (i) trustees, and (ii) persons appointed to committees of the board;(i) establish committees and specify the powers and duties of the committees
61(1) The board may authorize by resolution(b) a committee of the board or that is established by the board,to do any act or thing or exercise any power that the board may or is required to do or exercise subject to the directions and limitations set out in the resolution, except for those powers referred to in subsection (2).
(2) The board shall not delegate
(a) the power to make a bylaw under this Act,
(b) the power to close a school or school building under
section 58,
(c) the power to requisition from a municipality that the board
may have from time to time, and
(f) the power to hold a hearing under section 104.
Chief Superintendent Naomi Johnson, with direction from theTrustees, has set up a Cultural Advisory Council and an Elder Advisory Council that would advise and consult with the Board around decisions and policy development as it pertains to diversity and multiculturalism. As well, Administration has instituted a Youth Advisory Council comprised of leadership students from each High School in the CBE.