I've really slacked off when it comes to this blog in recent months and for that I apologize. But if it's any consolation, I've actually started a list of potential ideas so that should help in getting more of these out there. Also: I've realized being a manager means "lists", which is code for "organized". I'm getting the hang of it. Now with that caveat out of the way, let's continue.
Actually, let's have another little disclaimer before we really get started. I'm not a parent. I don't have kids in school in Calgary or anywhere else in the province. I'll be writing the rest of this post from an outsider's perspective with a little bit of an inside track on what's going on around this province, and in particular in this city, given I am in the news business and am more informed than many. OK. Now we're good.
To say the last few weeks in education in Calgary have been a little weird would probably be an understatement. Let's set aside the whole "New School Tour" the province has been on, where everyday Premier Alison Redford or one of her cabinet ministers is in a different community making an announcement. That one on it's own would likely garner a few responses.
Here's why it's been a little weird to me: I remember a time when different schools/programs were facing closure because they didn't have the numbers to support keeping the schools open. And yet, the local school boards are still begging for more schools (in the 'burbs). To me, this begs a couple of questions:
#1. Are the school boards trying to close down schools in the "inner-city" because they can then move those kids to other schools and maximize the capacity at those schools to convince the province they need more spaces? I believe the magic number is 85% capacity, so if you can stuff as many kids into a school as possible and get that capacity to 95% or 98% or 102%, it makes a bigger and better case for getting new schools.
#2. Are the school boards and the province in close enough discussions with city planners on how new communities are being built and do they have a pretty good idea on where a school COULD go should it be built? Because if you look at what's happening in regards to my #1 question, one could argue the City of Calgary is being made to look like a donut when it comes to schools. As the city's urban sprawl gets bigger, more attention is paid on getting new schools in the fringes and attention is lost on keeping people in the inner-city. It seems to be a vicious cycle with no end in sight, especially when you consider how expensive living is as you get closer to the downtown. What new family wants to live there when they can get a cheaper house in the 'burbs?
Maybe I'm over-simplifying this. By no means am I accusing anyone of being negligent in their duties. No one's questioning that population growth is a major issue. All I'm saying is something seems to be amiss here when we can't seem to keep up with growth yet we're not able to utilize the space we have at our fingertips.
Here's another thing I'd love some insight on: did we stop teaching the basics in grade school? I'm a really simple boy who grew up in a simple world. But I started to notice this in the difference between what I learned in Grade 12 compared to what my youngest sister learned when she went into Grade 12 (seven years difference between us). What I learned that year was what she later learned in Grade 9. I know school boards are really going after this "education for every student" philosophy so that each child is feeling engaged. Is it possible that we have forced our education system into becoming TOO specialized/personalized that the kids have no choice but to go to a particular school to get the education they need, rather than simply go to the one that's closest to them? Whatever happened to having math, language arts, social studies, the sciences, gym and maybe a few electives, like shop or foods? Last year I remember doing a media tour of a high school that was made specifically for different careers and trades. It was mind-boggling to see kids in Grade 9 learning about TV and radio. I paid college dollars to do that!
Again, maybe I'm over-simplifying this, but I grew up in a town of 250 people. We could have gone to Claresholm or Vulcan for high school, which was anywhere from a 20-30 minute drive. That's rural Alberta. Am I wrong to think that it's bizarre that kids are having to be on a bus for 45-60 minutes in the "big city", especially when they have a school three blocks away?
This doesn't seem very elementary, my dear Watson...
