This week’s reading was chapter four which focuses
on the educational structure in Canada. I found this chapter an easier read
than the last one – which was rather information heavy.
One of the first things that stood out to me was learning about charter schools. I thought it was interesting that as of now they only exist in Alberta (102). I also like how the text highlighted the schools and what they were geared towards on the following page, such as in Calgary there is one for “leadership in young girls” as well as one for “arts immersion curriculum” (103). I think the idea of charter schools is a good one – in terms that parents and even children can have more freedom in choosing which school would be an ideal suit them or in other words be a good learning environment. Often I feel like studies come out about how at-risk youth are being dismissed in the public school system (i.e. like falling through the cracks), how students are not being challenged or how ESL students are lacking in test scores compared to their English counterparts – and I just feel like having specific schools who could shift how they teach to specifically deal with these, would only benefit the learner (or child) in the end.
Another thing that stood out to me in this chapter was the idea of unschooling, a term put forth by John Holt. Unschooling is different from homeschooling because rather than following the provincial curriculum (typically), in this approach the child decides what to learn and pursue based on their own interests (107). This stuck out to me, because I thought I knew someone who was homeschooling her daughter, but now looking at it I think she was actually following an unschooling approach. Her daughter was interested in the violin so she began to practice that, her daughter was also interested in tennis so she began lessons – like the violin, for hours each day. Recently her daughter is more interested in cooking so last I heard they are planning a trip to Italy so she can purse that more. Personally I think it is kind of crazy but also equally very cool at the same time.
The last thing that stood out to me was rather small but worth noting. It was the fact that in Canada there is only one Aboriginal controlled university in Canada (117)! I guess I just thought that there would be more. I can see this growing in the coming years and hopefully so. I think by having more available schools across the country - that perhaps if more comfortable at and should they choose - could attract more Aboriginal students in to higher learning which in turn could help their culture in turn (e.g. policies and laws, perception, family).
Question: Do you think charter schools are a good idea? Or do you think they would create a “two tiered” system of their own, in which profits those who fit that category.
One of the first things that stood out to me was learning about charter schools. I thought it was interesting that as of now they only exist in Alberta (102). I also like how the text highlighted the schools and what they were geared towards on the following page, such as in Calgary there is one for “leadership in young girls” as well as one for “arts immersion curriculum” (103). I think the idea of charter schools is a good one – in terms that parents and even children can have more freedom in choosing which school would be an ideal suit them or in other words be a good learning environment. Often I feel like studies come out about how at-risk youth are being dismissed in the public school system (i.e. like falling through the cracks), how students are not being challenged or how ESL students are lacking in test scores compared to their English counterparts – and I just feel like having specific schools who could shift how they teach to specifically deal with these, would only benefit the learner (or child) in the end.
Another thing that stood out to me in this chapter was the idea of unschooling, a term put forth by John Holt. Unschooling is different from homeschooling because rather than following the provincial curriculum (typically), in this approach the child decides what to learn and pursue based on their own interests (107). This stuck out to me, because I thought I knew someone who was homeschooling her daughter, but now looking at it I think she was actually following an unschooling approach. Her daughter was interested in the violin so she began to practice that, her daughter was also interested in tennis so she began lessons – like the violin, for hours each day. Recently her daughter is more interested in cooking so last I heard they are planning a trip to Italy so she can purse that more. Personally I think it is kind of crazy but also equally very cool at the same time.
The last thing that stood out to me was rather small but worth noting. It was the fact that in Canada there is only one Aboriginal controlled university in Canada (117)! I guess I just thought that there would be more. I can see this growing in the coming years and hopefully so. I think by having more available schools across the country - that perhaps if more comfortable at and should they choose - could attract more Aboriginal students in to higher learning which in turn could help their culture in turn (e.g. policies and laws, perception, family).
Question: Do you think charter schools are a good idea? Or do you think they would create a “two tiered” system of their own, in which profits those who fit that category.
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