Just when we thought that all we had to do this weekend was to wait for the white smoke to emerge from the Sheraton Richmond, The Vancouver Sun has opened up a can of worms and created an opportunity for an in-depth discussion on class size and composition. I am hoping that all teachers who have stories about how the composition of their class and the lack of support affects how they do their job, expand the perspective presented by Tracy Sherlock (tsherlock@vancouversun) in todays Vancouver Sun. She has used MoE statistics, statistics that have nothing in common with learning disability statistics ANYWHERE ELSE but come to you since Canada was Harperized. The piece seems designed to undermine the BCTF position on class size and composition. Heres what we need to keep in mind. 1. One cant talk about class size without talking about the composition of that class. A class of 50 native language speakers, literate students, who are listening to a lecture, is very different to a class of 20 ELL some of whom have autism or behavioural issues who are learning to read. 2. Teachers gave up a salary increase in exchange for language in their collective agreement on class size and composition. 3. That language was stripped away in 2002 by CC. 4. The BC government currently sees support for students with special needs as a salary benefit for teachers. 5. Judge Griffins ruling calls for compensation for the fact that the class size and composition language was stripped in 2002. Thats 12 years of payback. Learning specialists, resource teachers, those who are familiar with John Hattie and those who refute him, this one is for you. A salvo has been fired across your bows on behalf of the MoE by the Vancouver Sun. How will you respond? vancouversun/news/Special+needs+classroom/10161867/story.html
Posted on: Sat, 30 Aug 2014 13:43:26 +0000
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