The Fraser Institute’s report on schools always draws criticisms from educators and kudos from the public.
We can’t help but wonder why?
Let’s first set the record straight - the Fraser Institute reports aren’t worth the paper they are printed on when it comes to judging the performance of schools again each other.
In reality that comparison is impossible. It would be like comparing the quality of life in Vancouver’s Point Grey to that of Alert Bay on Vancouver Island. You simply can’t compare them on any level.
However, what the education system seems to miss, and has for many, many years, is the public desires a better system of accountability from its educators.
Sadly, this is where the BCTF continues to fail not only its members, but also the public at large.
Why can’t we have a public debate about the quality of our teachers and our schools? Given what we hear from parents, we suspect that report card would be a good one on so many levels.
Like most people, we believe we are lucky to have our system of education, which includes teachers and administrators. But we also question things that seem out of line with the current realities of society, especially from an economic perspective.
We agree that the Fraser Institute reports really have no place in judging our education system, but we also suspect those reports would go away if our educators and teacher came up with a legtimate and appropriate way to give the public a true report on how our schools are really doing.