HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-06-17, Page 26•
f
t
t
Pkge A26-.Goderich Signal -Star, Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Secondaryteachers sa - no- ai o is nee s
ereased drop out rate. ,
The caveat is though that McGuinty
wasn't clear at the time on just how he
was going to do that.
I believe we have a hint of just how
he's going to do that now.
Whatever the reason for the rather
heavy-handed policy proposal from the
province, their sudden scrutiny of grades
and marking of teachers to explain their
Kudos to the many high school teach-
ers across the province who are giving the
province's no -fail policy a thumbs down.
Teachers like Caroline Orchard, a math
teacher from the Ottawa area spearheaded
an online petition a`month ago at www.
ipetitions.com/petition/evaluation where
so far she's amassed an impressive 5,000
signatures in opposition to a policy that
will no longer allow teachers to give a
zero grade or penalize a student for late
assignments or cheating.
Some teachers, a little closer to home,
in the Bluewater board complained that
this policy diminishes the integrity of
earhing credits because students are giv-
en not one, not two, but multiple chances
to earn extra credit for work that just
doesn't deserve a good grade.
Teachers are also concerned that the bill
*ill require them to design second, third
and "fourth assignments and tests adding
to an already jam-packed school day.
Parents too are starting to question the
policy which is essentially allowing the
Minister of Education to grade students,
in stead of their teachers. Parents also
recognize that sometimes students must
suffer the consequences for things like
plagiarized work, or cheating on exams.
The Society for Quality Education ap-
plauds the government on one hand for
wanting to increase the graduation rate,
but believes that this should be achieved
by improving student learning — not con-
doning cheating, plagiarism and missed
assignments.
The Ontario Confederation of Univer-
ly Faculty Associations also lends its
perspective to the debate with its most
recently -released report that has found
first-year university students are less pre-
pared than ever before.
The OCUFA report shares that incom-
ing students have lower writing and nu-
meric skills, lower maturity, and a belief
that good grades are an entitlement.
For her pari, Ontario education minister
Student Paintci•
& !)ii'tv \\ork
Kathleen Wynne
insists that it will
still be possible for
high school stu-
dents in this prov-
ince to "flunk" but
it shouldn't be the
first option.
I'm pretty sure
the teachers, par-
ents, post -second-
ary schools or even
employers have
nothing against second chances when
possible and for good reason.
Let's face it though, reality hits student
hard when the get to university, where
there is no such thing as a do -over. If you
don't follow a professors assignment in-
structions to a tee marks are deducted, no
questions asked, and no second chances.
There was some evidence last week via
a four-page memo from the deputy min-
ister suggesting that folks have got it en-
tirely wrong;
Ben Levin's memo attempts to "cor-
rect and clarify the facts", but it doesn't
sound like this is going to be an easy sell
to educators or parents throughout the
province.
I support the educators on this because
I see this as a micro -managing effort that
allows government too much say in how a
classroom teacher must grade a student.
No one knows the student better than
his/her teacher and the parents. It's in-
conceivable to me that a government
would so severely intrude into the class-
room in this way. Something the Premier
was dead set against when he was in op-
position.
The teachers I most respected as a stu-
dent, and also as a parent were the ones
who were tough in setting standards and
expectations, while also being fair and
realistic in awarding grades that are a
true reflection of the student's work and
ability.
Interior & Exterior Painting • Dump Runs • Yard Work
If you have a dirty job you don't Vvant to do, call us!
Local Mana s = r Kara Sloe - =
1-877-889-3760
The political spin
on all of this of
course is that the
McGuinty govern-
ment is pushing
through policies like
this one so hard be-
cause the education
Premier prolnised
an increased gradu-
ation rate and a de
improvement
failure rates is just wrong.
Will Ontario's Ministry of Education
get the message being sent their way by
teachers and parents?
Or will the
the system
make good
As with al
governmen
in
on
t
even
on
1
an
el
more
electi
se,
time
w
mi
c
is
ro-manage
attempt to
promise
ill e
t
11
?
Photo submitted
AMGH Auxiliary open longer
The AMGH Auxiliary has been active in community fundraising for the hospital
since the early 1900s. In 1967, a gift room set aside for the auxiliary in the hos-
pital was open three days a week. In 1977, the 150th anniversary of Goderich,
the gift room was open in the evenings. A new and bigger gift shop opened in
1979. A 30th anniversary celebration of this event is being planned for December
2009. The gift. shop is currently open from 1-4 p.m. weekday afternoons. It carries
Kriket and Creme De La Creme baby and children's clothes, and McBloom's
extremely rich and nourishing Hand and Foot Creams, along with various gifts
and notions. With the installation of the CT Scanner imminent, the gift shop has
plans to relocate within the hospital, and will be open more hours daily. Above,
auxiliary member Jan Huliah displays the children's clothing available at the hos-
pital auxiliary gift shop.
/�/,�//",/�
1/ you have an ele'ctric'ity guzz1icr5frid4;e that s/ifieen years old or more, you
can get rid of it the ('d.>y► way ,lust make an appointment with us. We'll conn'
into your home, take it away fhr free* and recycle it in an environmentally
friendly manner You'll san'e het ween $120-$150 per year in c1eclrtLlty.
I100k online today at everykrlowattcvtints.ca or call 1-877-797-9473
every .
kilowatt �;'
R (: 1 s HYDRO counts f� Ontarto
'Ridges and fineze►rs must at least 16 yews o4d, In working condition and babvsan 10.27 cubic teat,
Funded W tlas Mower AosAitH f and Elk rad by tlodrrlob Hydro. 06.011101.1 manus the Ontario mower Authority. Modernistk of Ga + Hydro.