Holly Blog #4

This week’s reading covered the topic of the structure of education in Canada.  Something that I found really interesting was that pre-elementary is mandatory in some provinces like Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and New Foundland and Labrador (pg. 90).  However, in the other provinces and territories, it is optional.  From my experience, I throughly enjoyed kindergarten, besides the first day when I wouldn’t let go of the bearhug I was in to my mom, when she tried to get me to go on the bus.  I went for a full day every other day of the week.  I remember learning my alphabet, having play time, and counting.  I think it was very beneficial and according to the text, research has shown that kindergarten or pre-elementary programs “can have a positive effect on academic performance in early grades” (pg. 90).

Something new that I learned was that charter schools are public schools that deliver their teaching in a specialized way (pg. 102). They are only found in Alberta and follow the Alberta learning curriculum. However, supporters of charter schools would say that they have much more flexibility that is not capable in the normal public system (pg. 104). People against charter schools would argue that those students would not get the same education as those attending regular public school, and there should be a common core across the education system (pg. 104).  I’m not sure what to think exactly about charter schools. In one way, I think it could be very beneficial to have a specific focus for a school, however, are those students then missing out on what the majority of children would be experiencing in the rest of the public system?

Discussion Question: If you lived in Alberta, would you send your child to a charter school? Why or why not?