test schools, thoughts?

I was wondering what you all thought of the Lyle Oberg's consideration of a publicaly funded private network of test school that would be hotspots for innovation and research.

read Province pitched on parallel school system
Province pitched on parallel school system

I think that there is a greater potential for abuse of power if the system is only responsible to the Minister. Publicly experimental programs are tested on a 3 year basis, 3 years of programming that is not working would leave a major dent in an elementary school kid's learning. On the other hand, we need to move forward, it is just a matter of how.

Also see what the Alberta Initiative for School Improvement (AISI)(public) group has been doing.
AISI conference highlights Alberta school ingenuity

Wow, that's right up our alley!
Thanks for the links martina, i'm reading them through right now.

It's an idea that looks worthwhile to me. Assuming that the curriculum has to be approved.

I believe that much of elementary school is glorified daycare. Not sure where, but I recall reading that a ten year old without any schooling could catch up to her classmates in a year in grade 4. The socialization part may be another issue -- or perhaps it is really indoctrination? ;-)


peace

I believe that a student could catch up that fast.
After kindergarten i moved to England and started school there, and because students there start school a year earlier i had to skip grade 1 and go straight into grade 2. If i remember correctly they only gave me a few weeks grace period to catch up and it was no problem...

I think the real issue here is funding. Why not have a program of experimental schools within the public system that we now have?

A) Lyle Oberg is ruining the education system in Alberta. I'd refuse almost anything he'd suggest, on a matter of principle.


"publically funded private schools"... There's way too much public funding in private schools as it is.



I'm all for new and innovative to teach children, and meet their needs... but there is a HUGE problem with this line right here:

Private companies do NOT belong in schools, EVER. Read No Logo by Naomi Klein if you wonder why i may say that, because i don't have the energy to get into that at the moment.

If Oberg simply wants to create his OWN schoolboard using public funds, I'd argue that it's completely unecessary, and that money would be MUCH better spent fixing up our current school system. >>>>Afterall, isn't it he who always claims there's not enough revenue to increase school funding?<<<<