Ontarians favor one public school board

[Mad_Michael]

... It is in essence no different than the protestant public schools...

The public school board in Ontario is entirely non-denominational (as it should be).

It is NOT a protestant school system.

[Mad_Michael]

Charter schools and education vouchers. It's the way of the future. Let people have choice.

As for Charter schools (or vouchers for that matter), I agree the ideas appear to have merit.

However, in ten years of closely following the issue, I've yet to see ANY data that suggests that either policy would ACTUALLY provide an improvement upon the present system (lots of promises, few good results).

Indeed, for every example of a 'good charter school', there appears to be a several 'ugly' ones. A large US report was recently published (I don't have a link at the moment, but I'll look for it) citing the fact that charter schools were performing at rates BELOW the public system in the USA.

[Canapathy]

From CBC radio this morning, in a recent poll 58% of Ontarians favoured merging public and Catholic school boards creating a single public education system in the province (couldn't find a link on short search, will try later).

Is it time to end publicly funded religious education in this province?

I'm glad to hear that a majority support this notion. The idea that one religion should receive public funding for its school system is ludicrous.

What’s even worse is that John Tory would like to extend public funding to any religious school that applies for it.

In my opinion the correct and fair solution is one strong publicly funded school board and partial tax breaks for those that use a private institution, be it religious, secular, whatever. The part I’m unsure about is how much of the education portion of our property taxes should be refunded. For no concrete reasons I feel that 60% to 75% is fair.

All Canadians should help fund public education as it is in our best interest to have the best educated population possible. However, for those that choose to place their kids somewhere else I have no problem giving a portion of their money back to help pay for tuition. I think this solution ensure the best possible education for the most people and it is completely fair and equal for all groups, religious or otherwise.

Maybe now that poll data shows that Ontarians want one public system a politician will have the cahones to upset the cart and do what’s right.

[M.Dancer]

Well, if catholics make up 34.7% of Ontario....aren't they paying for their system?

What galls me is that we have to pay for a secualr system....even though only 16.3 % of ontarian calls themselves areligionist.....

[Mad_Michael]

Well, if catholics make up 34.7% of Ontario....aren't they paying for their system?

What galls me is that we have to pay for a secualr system....even though only 16.3 % of ontarian calls themselves areligionist.....

Perhaps because the religious types can't agree on just one religion to run the schools by. If religion runs the schools, then we have to have dozens of religions running their own schools.

And indeed, 65.3% of Ontario is not Catholic.

[fellowtraveller]

I'm happy we have a choice of systems and a choice of opportunities.

Will you be happy when this policy is taken as justification for the requirement that we taxpayers fund Jewish, Muslim and Hindu schools too?

I wholeheartedly support the inclusion of virtually any special interest group within the publc school system. One condition: that the minimum provincial curriculum be taught by licensed and accredited teachera. beyond that, who cares?

FYI, the Edmonton Public School bOard has this system of inclusion and it has been a success. They have many other special interest groups and schools too.

It is a big tent.

[Pat Coghlan]

Charter schools and education vouchers. It's the way of the future. Let people have choice.

Not that long ago, the post office was central to the payment of bills, receiving cheques etc. - and there were constant strikes.

There's still a post office, but people can opt for electronic bill payment, e-mail etc.

Seen any mail strikes lately?

When clients have some choice, service improves. This is the trend that needs to be sustained in education.

[myata]

]

I wholeheartedly support the inclusion of virtually any special interest group within the publc school system.

Wouldn't it be easier and more practical (from management and operating perspective) to simply allow such interest groups to offer voluntary courses and programs, within public schools, as long they satisfy certain curriculum requirements (i.e being educational, in line with the laws and traditions of this country, etc) and taught by a professional teacher?

Of course, financing of such courses would be subject to sufficient registration, not unlike courses offered by colleges or e.g city recreational programs.

[Mad_Michael]

Wouldn't it be easier and more practical (from management and operating perspective) to simply allow such interest groups to offer voluntary courses and programs, within public schools, as long they satisfy certain curriculum requirements ...

It would.

...(i.e being educational, in line with the laws and traditions of this country, etc) and taught by a professional teacher?

There's the rub isn't it? Some religions cannot be taught in line with the laws and traditions of this country.

Of course, financing of such courses would be subject to sufficient registration, not unlike courses offered by colleges or e.g city recreational programs.

This is likely to be problematic.

Any course offerred and then withdrawn (for lack of sufficient registration) will be construed as obvious 'proof' of the State censoring that course's material. Minority religions are not known for their resaonable approach to such issues.

[fellowtraveller]

]

I wholeheartedly support the inclusion of virtually any special interest group within the publc school system.

Wouldn't it be easier and more practical (from management and operating perspective) to simply allow such interest groups to offer voluntary courses and programs, within public schools, as long they satisfy certain curriculum requirements (i.e being educational, in line with the laws and traditions of this country, etc) and taught by a professional teacher?

Of course, financing of such courses would be subject to sufficient registration, not unlike courses offered by colleges or e.g city recreational programs.

Did you actually read my post, which is two above yours?

Edmonton has many schools, so it is no special effort to have entire schools dedicated to whatever special interest is required by the community. Why teach Chinese language immersion at 17 different schools, instead of the successful approach is simply having a Chinses immersion school? It makes staffing much easier. So no, it isn't easier or more pratcical to offer 'voluntary' courses. Every student at a special interest school is there voluntarily (or more accurately at their parents wish), all teach minimum provincial curriculums, all taught by certifed teachers.

Note that students in Alberta may attend any public school of their choice, subject to space availability. If you attend outside your district, parents must also get their kids to school.

Oh yeah, many of the special schools - like the hockey, ballet, soccer, military academy and others are geared only to specific age group, often junior high.

[GreenWhiteandPink]

Newfoundland and Labrador had a Religious Denominational Education system until 1998, which was permitted under term 17 of the Terms of Union with Canada which is included as part of the Constitution when NL entered confederation. (There were RC schools, Integrated Schools: Anglican/United Church/Salvation Army and some Pentacostal schools and seventh day Adventist schools). By the mid 90's the majority of Newfoundlanders were against such a system (including the Integrated Schools Churches), and the Government had two referendums on the issue (a second was required after a successful RC court challenge to the first.)

After the second referendum passed (74%) which called for a single public school system, the Provincial House of Assembly and Federal Parliament approved bills amending Term 17.

Ontario could also do the same to amend the constitution to eliminate publicly funded Roman Catholic schools.

After scandals involving denominational schools in Newfoundland, public opinion in that province began to turn toward changing the Constitution, allowing the provincial government to take control of education. Previously, most schools were administered by religious denominations.

The amending formula of the Constitution Act, 1982 allowed for changes to the Constitution based on a vote in a provincial legislature if the change would affect only the province itself. A referendum was held on the issue in 1995. The vote was in favour of a change in the constitution, and in 1997 the government of Newfoundland gained authority over all schools in the province.