SOFA Meeting with Education Minister Dave Hancock was a big success!

On January 25, Save Our Fine Arts (SOFA) hosted a meeting with the Education Minister to highlight Fine Arts curriculum and how it fits with the Inspiring Education initiative. Bill Campbell, Co-Chair, has just posted an update on their website that also includes links to the various video presentations shared at the meeting. Approximately 650 people attended the event.

Tripartite Discussions: Alberta Education, ASBA and ATA Issue a Joint Statement

A joint statement was released today by Alberta Education, the Alberta School Boards Association and the Alberta Teachers' Association regarding the Tripartite discussions. The letter stated that they will "not be moving ahead with an agreement at this time." These discussions began last fall and centred around workforce stability and the transformation of K to 12 Education.

Teachers Have Questions Arising from Latest Update on the Tripartite Discussions

Calgary Public Teachers ATA Local 38 representatives joined their counterparts from across the province in Edmonton January 15 to discuss updates from the Alberta Teachers' Association regarding the ongoing tripartite discussions.

Representatives had many questions about some of the proposals. In particular, how assignable time and instructional time limits would be enforced and given the possible reduction in time spent teaching how would the curriculum be adjusted in response. They were assured by ATA staff that these concerns were noted and being explored further in the process.

Stay tuned...

Action on Inclusion Update

Dianne McConnell, Director - Action on Inclusion, was speaking at a leadership conference held jointly by the College of Alberta School Superintendents (CASS)and Alberta Education centred on the development of a common understanding of inclusive practices. Ms. McConnell spoke to the wrap around approach that Alberta Education is taking towards inclusion. Other topics covered at the meeting included learning coaches, differentiated instruction, inclusive classroom planning, the continuum of supports and services, and the video Eryn shared in the previous posting.

RSA Animate - Changing Education Paradigms

CBE Response to the Education Act 2011 Framework

By popular demand, here is the link to the Calgary Board of Education Perspective on the Education Act 2011 Proposed Framework. Once on the link, if you have a bookmark, just click on the direct link - or scroll down towards the end of the trustee board package (agenda/reports).

Of interest, as well, the Alberta School Boards Association (ASBA) has an interesting link to an article on the subject of appointing trustees as it relates to the framework.

Calling all Bloggers: Sir Ken Robinson Blogathon

As many of you know Sir Ken Robinson will be in Red Deer on Feb 9th. CAPSC is excited to attend this event. Recently a Red Deer teacher and blogger, Joe Bower, suggested that we participate in a Sir Ken Robinson Blogathon! His goal is to start and keep the conversation going. We jumped on board right away! 

Many of our members share concerns and ideas as to how we can keep creativity in our classrooms. With the SOFA event coming up next week this important topic is really on our minds right now; but we want to make sure community members, parents, students and Educators keep the conversation going. 

Some of the things that Joe Bower suggested as conversation starters were:

• What role should creativity play in education?
• In what ways does school need to change? (And I would add to that in what way does formal education need to change?)
• How can school broaden its definition of achievement?
• How can school do a better job of encouraging all children to find their passion?
• What needs to happen so that school is something to be enjoyed rather than simply endured?

This is a great starting point and we look forward to your thoughts!

Eryn Kelly

Calgary Public Teachers Local 38 of the Alberta Teachers' Association: Leading Our Future Together

Leading Our Future Together: Necessary Conditions for Shared Leadership in Calgary Public Schools, a position paper from the Calgary Public Teachers Local 38 of the Alberta Teachers' Association, is based on the results of an extensive survey of teachers here in Calgary a year ago that focused on teaching and learning conditions. Jenny Regal, President - ATA Local 38, writes in her introductory letter to CAPSC, that this document "is aimed at advancing the professional role of teachers as educational leaders, removing obstacles to students' readiness to learn and improving the teaching and learning conditions in Calgary Public Schools."

We encourage you to have a look and share your thoughts!

There is also a power point presentation that was used in the launching of this document available on the ATA Local 38 website.

Not issue by issue but understanding 'Education'..

Not issue by issue but understanding 'Education'..

There are some great opportunities right now for all of us interested in and concerned about our public education system to address some of its fundamental premises. The government, as we know, is set to revamp the Education Act. RIGHT NOW there is a window of opportunity to let our elected representatives know what we want and expect around the issues of HOW we formally educate our children and WHAT we want our public education system to look like in Alberta.

These overarching questions require our thought and energy to address. This is where the public conversation should be focused just now. Of course there are specific issues and operational concerns, there always will be; however, the opportunity of influencing legislative reform only comes about once a generation (if even that). Dollars and cents do matter. We all understand that public institutions have budgets and that the efficient and fair allocation of those scarce resources is an important part of the work of our elected officials. But the chance to offer-up our collective thinking on higher-order concerns should, FOR JUST NOW, trump preoccupation with one particular fiscal issue.

Some people are encouraging a third party investigation that would require more time and money, to look into the cost and processes that went into Calgary's Education building.  This signals that there is a significant issues that need addressing. Unfortunately there is a real risk that a significant part of the conversations around education that we have been engaged in are going to be set aside. For instance, what environment do we believe our public school board trustees and administration should work in;because that is part of the conversation.

We also believe that decisions such as building new infrastructure need to be transparent; the public should know WHY the decision was made to build a new site and what the costs are, up-front. They should have an opportunity to provide feedback. And the deliberations/debate over  fiscal decisions should be clearly stated in the minutes of trustees meetings which should be easily accessible to the public.

Now, having said that: our passion and focus just now is about expressing our concerns and suggestions over the proposed Education Act and to take the conversation where it really needs to go in our communities. We started this conversation after watching 'A Race to Nowhere'. This goes further than classroom size, IPP's and PAT's ( and Education building costs). Although these things are all of importance we cannot address any of them wisely without an understanding of WHY these things matter. What are we trying to protect or create?

We think that we can make more significant changes if we focus on what we need as we move forward rather than focusing exclusively on the past. We expect the current board to be fiscally responsible, accountable, and collaborative - and we are looking forward to working collaboratively with the Board on issues of import.  But we cannot begin to collaborate unless there is a sense of trust. We hope that CBE administration and  the Board will  answer the questions that members of the public are putting forth, without the need to spend more valuable resources and time. 

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Eryn Kelly and Leslie Newton's stakeholder report

Update on the Tripartite Discussions - Workforce Stability

For the past couple of months, the Alberta Government along with the Alberta School Boards Association (ASBA) and the Alberta Teachers Association (ATA) have been in discussions around workforce stability and the transformation of K to 12 Education. As you may remember, parents were asked by trustees for feedback on these Tripartite discussions in the fall of this school year. Recently, the Alberta Teachers Association posted an update on some of the proposals that may be coming forward as part of a package to extend collective aggreements to 2015 - the workforce stability piece. Workforce stability is seen as critical to the process of educational transformation.

One of these proposals asks teachers to back off the current 4.3% salary increase due this year and in following years. In return, the government would ensure limits on the amount of time teachers would be responsible for instructing students and formally assigned duties outside instruction. Teachers could adjust their workload and have more time to dedicate to lesson preparation, professional development, and other initiatives at both the community, board and provincial level. Teachers would continue to contribute their time to support student activities outside their terms of employment.

There are other items in this proposal of interest to parents so we would encourage you to have a look. A formal proposal is expected from the government in a matter of weeks. For additional background, you can check out the ATA Local 38 website and the Calgary Sun article, "Teachers asked to waive raise."

Follow up to Education Act framework

Leslie and I recently had the opportunity to meet with Spence Nichol, Executive Assistant to Education Minister Hancock. Our meeting with Mr. Nichol came as a follow up to our November CAPSC meeting and discussion around the proposed changes to the School Act (now called the Education Act 2011 Framework). We were very appreciative that Mr. Nichol took the time to meet with us.

Mr. Nichol shared with us that the Education Act is not meant to define in detail every nuance of day to day operations. My understanding from the conversation is that it is a larger vision for defining public education in Alberta and is only one piece amongst many that will be reviewed as this process unfolds in the next few years. That being said, I believe there is valid concern when things are left for interpretation as it can open the door to some unexpected changes. We asked if there is still an opportunity for change to this draft framework and the suggestion was to contact our local MLA’s over the next two weeks with comments and feedback. I for one, will be writing my MLA as I think it is critical that we voice concerns. CAPSC will look forward to seeing the completed legislation that will go before the government sometime during the spring session.

Member concerns shared with Mr. Nichol included:

1. Significant concern around Part 4 - Governance and Roles regarding section 6(d) "Where there are underrepresented groups, a board may appoint, with the approval of the Minister, up to one third of the number of trustees to a board, and the Minister, in consultation with the board, may appoint up to one-third of the number of trustees to the board.”

Comments included: seen as undermining democratic process; undermines local autonomy; what might be defined as an underrepresented group? (special interests); impact on large urban boards with the greatest diversity – perhaps better served by a committee reporting to the board.

Mr. Nichol emphasized that each Board would work in close collaboration with the Minister if there were any appointments of Trustees. The intent was to better represent students and our aboriginal population.

I feel that there are better ways to engage both groups than appointing them to a role that should remain elected. If we want to go down that path then perhaps we should also appoint minors to governmental positions within each department as well?

1. Concern around Part 4 - Governance and Roles regarding section 2. Parents: “The rights and responsibilities of parents for their children's learning will be clearly defined, and will include the expectation that parents are active partners with the teachers, principals and instructional team in their children's learning.”

While there was support for the idea that parents’ rights and responsibilities be stated and schools should not be seen simply as “day care facilities”, the question was raised whether the legislation was the appropriate place to make such statements. Additionally, enforceability was an issue.

An example of what might also be included, “Parents are expected to engage in the school community,” elicited the most comments – how can you mandate behaviour? Parents may have very valid reasons for not engaging in the school community.

Mr. Nichol commented that we should define the role(s) that parents can play in their children's education but you cannot mandate the behaviour.

1. Some concern around Part 1 - Access to Education regarding the proposed provisions for access being extended to the age of 21.

How will the additional students be accommodated – is there enough space? Do we have the teachers, support staff, administrative staff, and collaborative community networks to meet the needs of the proposed new requirements? There was concern about adults mixing with fifteen year olds at high school. Will overall additional funding be made available for public education and the additional resources associated with providing programming for students’ ages 4.5 to 21?

Mr. Nichol reassured us that adult students would NOT be in high schools with 15 year olds. The adult students would be accessing adult learning facilities like Bow Valley College and Chinook Learning Services.

I also inquired about a follow up to Inspiring Education where we heard from guest speakers such as Dan Pink and Mark Milliron who clearly warned us that preparing our students for success includes more than math and science and in class learning. We must also encourage critical thinking, global citizenship, community awareness and volunteerism. How does the new Education Act framework encourage and foster this? He affirmed that Minister Hancock also felt this was important. However, I am still not clear on HOW this is reflected in the new framework. This should be part of the large vision and I believe the new Education Act is the place that this can be introduced and shared as a common value for Albertans.

Eryn Kelly