I have wondered this out loud on facebook causing many arguments with fellow autism moms whom I hold close and dear to my heart, even through our opposing views. The argument typically being I love the way Alberta's school system runs and the opposition agrees, however they say that Alberta's school system works better because they have oil money to help progress the school system. Manitoba is a poor province, therefore not able to financially make the same school system happen here.
Here are my thoughts, and please remember they are only my thoughts and opinions, and not law.
The city of Edmonton has what's called "school of choice." It means one school division, therefore one superintendant. Seems to me that this could save Manitoba some money, right? I mean, I realize the superintendant would need helpers, but I'm sure their income would not be as high as the six superintendants the city of Winnipeg is paying for now. I'm sure there has to be some financial savings we could allocate in places where "school of choice" may be more expensive in other areas?
The beauty of the "school of choice" for parents is that they get to pick where they want their children to go to school. Each school specializes in an area of education. So, if your child with or without special needs is a mathematical genious, chances are you would want to foster that genious, right? It would make sense then, to send your child to a school that specializes in mathematics. For those of us with special needs children, we would pick a school that has the most experience with our child's special needs... The parents get to "shop" around for a school of their choice, having more control of their child's education. There are no division lines to battle crossing or having to sell your child to a particular school that is not in your catchment area.
As any plan, school of choice is not perfect. There are areas of concern, especially when it comes to transportation. What happens if you cannot afford to drive your child across the city to the school your child would most benefit from? Schools of choice like high marking students, to better sell their schools. But even so, the city's school board has been visited by educators across the world to examine and review, wanting to implement the same system... The beauty for us is that we live in the same country, and there is no need to re-invent the wheel...
For a detailed report and analysis, here is the link to Edmonton's school of choice model:
http://www.saee.ca/upload/032.pdf
I know, I know... Awwwwww Lou... why are you making me read this?! It's too much like homework! In order to make an educated decision, you must educate first.
Consider yourselves hugged,
Lou
Showing posts with label plan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label plan. Show all posts
Thursday, 15 September 2011
Tuesday, 12 July 2011
The Way He Should Go, Deep Thoughts By Lou Lovrin
Train up a child in a way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 22:6
Ouch. I read this over and over and over again, asking God "How?" Yes, I speak to God, on a daily basis. Don't worry, it's a one way conversation, so drop the phone, no need to call 911 or CFS.
As a loving mother, I know my son needs guidance, and he depends on me to teach him right from wrong. I work hard at molding him into a good man, and want him to be a happy, productive and a contributing member of society. I think all parents want the same for their children, but now we throw autism into the mix... How do we do this with autism? There are certain things I fear Dayton won't experience, such as graduating from high school, college or university, dating, marriage, children, friends, family...
Train up a child in a way he should go. Not how I want him to go, but in a way he should go... If Dayton chose not to marry and have children of his own, and yet was happy, would that hurt me or him? If Dayton wasn't able to graduate with a regular grade 12 diploma, but was able to apprentice in a trade and complete the apprenticeship, get his "red seal," be able to work anywhere he desired, and was happy, would it really be the end of the world?
As parents, we have a preconceived notion of what our child's path in life should be. We plan their lives out for them, thinking of things that make US happy, believing it will make our child happy too.
I remember talking about trusting God's plans with a very dear friend of mine, whom I respect as my own mother, and her husband as my own father. Kathleen had tried to assure me that there are things I simply need to trust the Lord with, things that are out of my control. One of them being Dayton and his future. We had this conversation about five years ago, and I think mom was trying to explain to me that my plan may not be God's plan for Dayton. Maybe God has a bigger and better plan for Dayton and myself. In order for God's plan to reveal itself, I need to let go of my own selfish desires for Dayton, and have faith in God... It's either God has a divine purpose for my babe and I, or the pain medication is messing with me... I'd like to believe the first.
I truly believe God places people in our lives for a reason. It is His plan for us to have met the people we have in our lives. God uses us in His plans. He is using Dayton in His plan, and me too. Now, the control freak show that I am, if I could just let go of the control and leave our future in God's hands... I think I'm going to have to call mom...
As Kathleen's husband, dad says: Consider yourselves hugged,
Lou
Proverbs 22:6
Ouch. I read this over and over and over again, asking God "How?" Yes, I speak to God, on a daily basis. Don't worry, it's a one way conversation, so drop the phone, no need to call 911 or CFS.
As a loving mother, I know my son needs guidance, and he depends on me to teach him right from wrong. I work hard at molding him into a good man, and want him to be a happy, productive and a contributing member of society. I think all parents want the same for their children, but now we throw autism into the mix... How do we do this with autism? There are certain things I fear Dayton won't experience, such as graduating from high school, college or university, dating, marriage, children, friends, family...
Train up a child in a way he should go. Not how I want him to go, but in a way he should go... If Dayton chose not to marry and have children of his own, and yet was happy, would that hurt me or him? If Dayton wasn't able to graduate with a regular grade 12 diploma, but was able to apprentice in a trade and complete the apprenticeship, get his "red seal," be able to work anywhere he desired, and was happy, would it really be the end of the world?
As parents, we have a preconceived notion of what our child's path in life should be. We plan their lives out for them, thinking of things that make US happy, believing it will make our child happy too.
I remember talking about trusting God's plans with a very dear friend of mine, whom I respect as my own mother, and her husband as my own father. Kathleen had tried to assure me that there are things I simply need to trust the Lord with, things that are out of my control. One of them being Dayton and his future. We had this conversation about five years ago, and I think mom was trying to explain to me that my plan may not be God's plan for Dayton. Maybe God has a bigger and better plan for Dayton and myself. In order for God's plan to reveal itself, I need to let go of my own selfish desires for Dayton, and have faith in God... It's either God has a divine purpose for my babe and I, or the pain medication is messing with me... I'd like to believe the first.
I truly believe God places people in our lives for a reason. It is His plan for us to have met the people we have in our lives. God uses us in His plans. He is using Dayton in His plan, and me too. Now, the control freak show that I am, if I could just let go of the control and leave our future in God's hands... I think I'm going to have to call mom...
As Kathleen's husband, dad says: Consider yourselves hugged,
Lou
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