Sunday, January 23, 2011
The Self & Why
Is this for me or for you? Why do I blog? To the many people I follow on Twitter, I am probably considered a novice Twitter, Blogger and even Educationist (if there is such a word). I am on Twitter to learn. I am happy that people follow me and that they 'get' something from my tweets and posts. When I ran for position of Trustee, one of my goals/objectives was to inform people of happenings in Education. These happenings could be trends or policies. Those in the Education field see these happenings everyday and live them. Many parents are unaware of these happenings and it is them that I am trying to reach. That is why you see many retweets in my profile and my blogs are filled with links. When I was a SAC Chair, in my SAC report in the School's Newsletter I would have the website of the month. So here is my first & second website of the month. Engaging Parents in School and Connected Principals . Am I being successful? I do not know but I am trying. The learning I am accomplishing is tremendous. Communication, Information & Transparency are a good mixture for Confidence. This one's for you and I enjoy it.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Who Maketh the Policy
The making of School/Education Policy is not simple. The issue being addressed maybe complicated and/or controversy or simple and straightforward, however sometimes you may get thrown for a loop. The question I am asking here is "Who is involved in making the Policy?" This Parents for Education article touches on the issue.
Whether it be at the Classroom Level, School, Board, or Ministry Level what procedure(s) is used in determining that policy and what parties are involved. Where is the consultation process? Who is consulted?
All public schools in Ontario are legislated to have a School Advisory Council (SAC) that all parents have an opportunity to belong to and participate in. One of the roles of the SAC to help develop school policy. Do the SACs take on this role? People for Education Report 2010. Do the Principals and Teachers consult them before the fact or is it 'Here is what we are going to do, what are your thoughts?" What about Board policy, who are the participants; Parents, SAC, Principals, Teachers, Board Staff, Superintendents, Trustees? Who initiates this consultation? All too often the line of communication does not exist or fails. The Ministry of Education has made some major changes to the Ontario Education Act, did the grassroots have much say or even asked. Where do the numerous Memos and Consultation Papers go? Who within the Board responds for the Board, the Trustees or Board Staff? Does the Ontario Public School Board Association (OPSBA) speak for the Boards? If if does, where do they get their input? They have been many Policies that the Ministry has introduced that Boards have a tough time grasping and implementing.
I have asked many questions here and hopefully as I learn my role as Trustee and things begin to happen I will get answers. We are always wanting transparency and until the grassroots (parents) of the education system see how policies are created and implemented there will always be disconnect and suspicion.
Here are two articles worth reading Parents as Partners: 'Its a Matter of Trust' and Opportunity of a Lifetime .
Stay tuned for further input.
Whether it be at the Classroom Level, School, Board, or Ministry Level what procedure(s) is used in determining that policy and what parties are involved. Where is the consultation process? Who is consulted?
All public schools in Ontario are legislated to have a School Advisory Council (SAC) that all parents have an opportunity to belong to and participate in. One of the roles of the SAC to help develop school policy. Do the SACs take on this role? People for Education Report 2010. Do the Principals and Teachers consult them before the fact or is it 'Here is what we are going to do, what are your thoughts?" What about Board policy, who are the participants; Parents, SAC, Principals, Teachers, Board Staff, Superintendents, Trustees? Who initiates this consultation? All too often the line of communication does not exist or fails. The Ministry of Education has made some major changes to the Ontario Education Act, did the grassroots have much say or even asked. Where do the numerous Memos and Consultation Papers go? Who within the Board responds for the Board, the Trustees or Board Staff? Does the Ontario Public School Board Association (OPSBA) speak for the Boards? If if does, where do they get their input? They have been many Policies that the Ministry has introduced that Boards have a tough time grasping and implementing.
I have asked many questions here and hopefully as I learn my role as Trustee and things begin to happen I will get answers. We are always wanting transparency and until the grassroots (parents) of the education system see how policies are created and implemented there will always be disconnect and suspicion.
Here are two articles worth reading Parents as Partners: 'Its a Matter of Trust' and Opportunity of a Lifetime .
Stay tuned for further input.
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