Cdn EdWire – New Quebec Government Stirs Up Multiple Education Controversies

Quebec’s plan for education slammed – Winnipeg Free Press

PQ wants to trim English classes, boost sovereignty studies – CBC

Private schools trying to count learning-challenged students – Montreal Gazette 

OTHER NEWS

Quebec study of post-reform students yields disappointing results – Montreal Gazette

Progress slow with high-school dropout rate – Montreal Gazette

Ontario slammed for outdated sex ed and mental health curriculum – Toronto Star
Divisions could share new facilities 

Ontario Catholic groups slam education minister for appearing to call anti-abortion views ‘misogynistic’ – National Post

CBE plan for corporate naming inside schools sparks debate – Calgary Herald

BC Education Plan Linked to Private Corporations – The Tyee
Partnership between education ministry and not-for-profit with billionaire partners raises concerns.

Quebec private schools willing to accept more challenged students – Montreal Gazette

Quebec Education Minister Marie Malavoy defends history course proposal – Montreal Gazette

France proposes homework ban, should Canada do the same? – CBC 

Province ponders regional schools – Winnipeg Free Press

Education Director laments over the TDSB’s hard year, looks to the future – Globe and Mail 

National study to quiz teachers on homophobia – Winnipeg Free Press

EDUBLOG HIGHLIGHTS

Let’s Figure This Out– The Principal of Change
I watched as Bruce Dixon spoke to a group of leaders. To be honest, I had only kind of heard of him before though his name has popped up in blogs, twitter, etc.  As he was introduced, one of the statements about him was, “he has been pushing for 21st century learning for 23 years”, and I kind of laughed it off.

And then he spoke and I was blown away.  To be honest, he really pushed my own thinking as well on what I do in my role.

He talked about the “elephants in the room” and one was the lack of access for students with technology and the pressure of time that we have, yet only providing kids time on a computer for an hour a week.  He spoke passionately about the ubiquitous access that students need to a tool that is necessary in our world today.  If you look around at most conferences, every teacher has some device that they use, whether it is a computer, tablet, or smartphone.  Go into the classroom though, and you will be lucky if you see that as the norm...Read more

On Obama, Dinner and being Superintendent – Culture of Yes
On being superintendent – having been appointed to this position three years ago, and now just completing my second full year in the role, I do find the position is a bit what one makes of it, and there are so many ways to “do it right”. I have seen others in the role who are masters of the community, attending events at arts clubs, chambers of commerce, community centres and many other community events. And, this is important work, because it raises the profile and interests of a school district. One still needs to pick and choose how they will spend their time.

My focus is really getting the learning right in classrooms, so classrooms over community has sometimes been the priority. And, to be honest, I have had no problem with working hard, I do want to be sure that my own family sees me some evenings. Yes, I nod my head knowingly at  presentations to parents where we discuss the importance of family dinners and other similar connections, knowing full well, that at that moment, I’m doing the very opposite this.  I have had to make choices to forgo evening opportunities, and redefining the role of superintendent, aligned with those values.  I also do realize what I attend speaks to what I say is important – so these decisions are always taken carefully...Read more

Standardized test scores are like a broken clock – For the Love of Learning
Many Albertans might take these standardized test score results as prima facia evidence that things are well. Many Albertans may be satisfied with this information and confidently move on with their regularly scheduled day, thinking that Alberta schools are not only doing well, but they are improving.

What if we are wrong? What if these scores are giving us false confidence? What if standardized test scores aren’t telling us what we think they are telling us?…Read more 

Just Put the Puck In the Net – The Value of Student and Teacher Goal Setting – At the Principal’s Office
Hockey is a simple game really with one ultimate goal: put the puck in the net more times than the opposing team does. Everyone knows the goal, everyone helps get to the goal, and everyone knows when the goal has been achieved.  The tricky part is in the strategies; many great coaches and hockey-minds have developed hundreds of different strategies to reach the goal.  There is no one right definitive way, in fact there are many factors that good coaches will take into consideration before choosing the right strategy. No strategy works with all people all the time.

So is the game of education.  There is one ultimate goal, or is there?  Last time I checked I found numerous different curriculum areas, each with dozens of goals, that changed every year.  How is any one every to know the goal?….Read more 

Meet the Expert(s)

Max Cooke

CEO

Max Cooke is the CEO of the EdCan Network.

Max Cooke est le directeur général du Réseau ÉdCan.

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