Comments on: Nova Scotia providing funding & school choice

By: Sandy

Sandy — Tue, 13 May 2008 11:54:45 +0000

Michelle — I find the Minister’s comment to reflect the “doublespeak” hear in Ontario: “until we are able to provide, in our public schools, one that is equal to it or better.”

But, as long as the kids are getting what they need in the meantime, that is the main thing. My guess is that the funding will likely have to continue beyond the three years — that the NS government is only saying that now because of the flack they are getting.

Anyway, three years is an eternity in politics.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Tue, 13 May 2008 01:47:33 +0000

Don’t get too excited. It’s not like NS is actually doing anything too progressive here. We only ‘kept’ the Tuition Support program, such as it is (which is not nearly enough) after parents put up a huge fight to stop the ‘writing on the wall’ in the form of the latest Special Education report.

And even with the announcement of the “good news” that the program would continue, the Minister was careful to point out that the program was only being saved “in the short term”.

In the short term, we are not prepared to take away the opportunity for those who can benefit from the program. My commitment will be to continue the program until we are able to provide, in our public schools, one that is equal to it or better.”

In addition, there is a three year time limit to the program. Then it’s sayonora. So, yeah, a little not enough too late, me thinks.

By: Ann

Ann — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 21:45:14 +0000

Before we get all gushy about the continuing antics of People for Education’s release of their “new thinking on declining enrolment” the info. in this report is not news to any small, rural board which have been working to meet the enrolment crunch for at least a decade.

The very big difference between People for Education in 2000-2001 was that of the Harris gov’t they demanded a moratorium on school closures. Now, they’ve agreed that it’s likely necessary to close schools and looking at education differently, while calling for more funding.

page 95 of the Ministry of Finance accounting shows People for Education rec’d $56,000 from the current government.

You didn’t get all of Kidder’s quotes in context Paula. In Stratford, she said “boards wouldn’t have to close as many schools if there was more flexibily in the funding formula so that decisions about schools were based on things like education and community not just funding.” If you check out the new accommodation review guidelines you’ll see that they do exactly as Kidder suggests.

The question that needs asking is whether more money will buy quality? I don’t think so.

The other question that no one is asking is what do individual communities expect of the education system and their schools? Is achievement and education still a priority? Or are we expecting more(or less) of our schools?

Bottom-line is that we have to decide what we’re willing to support(in funding) in our schools based, not on a central government but based on individual communities and the trustees we elect to oversee those education communities.