Entries tagged with
education
The language of “parental rights” is being used by vocal conservative groups to push political agendas that threaten the inclusiveness and integrity of Alberta’s public education system. In this article, researcher Heather Ganshorn traces the movement’s ideological roots, documents its growing influence, and highlights its links to the agenda of privatization. See what's at stake in upcoming school board elections and why we should care.
When Disrespect Becomes Policy
How Government Neglect Sparked Labour Unrest
As Albertans prepare for the first teacher strike in nearly 25 years, it is important for parents, educators, and education stakeholders to reflect on where we are and how we got here. In this open letter, parent, teacher, and doctoral candidate Ian Doktor highlights that it is not just about wages, and details the years of disrespect, underfunding, and bad decisions by the Alberta government that are at the heart of the current impasse.
Challenging 'Parental Rights'
A Primer for Parents, Students, Educators, and Advocates
A specific brand of “parental rights” is increasingly being weaponized to justify restrictions on inclusive practices in Alberta’s education system. At the same time, one key feature of this agenda — the push for “school choice” — is laying the groundwork for broader privatization. This report shows where these efforts are coming from, what’s at stake, and how to fight for schools that are inclusive of all parents, not just a vocal minority rooted in conservative organizations.
Education support workers are striking across Alberta. The strikes are causing significant disruption for families, placing strain on teachers, and impacting the education kids receive. It is in everyone’s interest that these disputes get settled so these important workers can get back to their jobs. So why aren’t things getting settled? Ask the UCP government.
Higher Education - Corporate or Public?
How the UCP is Restructuring Post-Secondary Education in Alberta
The United Conservative Party (UCP) government has, from 2018 to 2022, cut the operating support budget for Alberta’s PSEIs by 18.8%, resulting in a trail of destruction across the province’s universities, colleges, and technical institutes. This report addresses two questions. First, we ask what the agenda and actions of the United Conservative Party government of Alberta mean for higher education and research. Second, we ask how institutional factors explain the sector’s lack of autonomy and ability to resist the corporatization agendas of governments.
Women in Alberta are suffering the triple blow of bearing the brunt of the governing United Conservative Party’s austerity agenda and the COVID-19 economic and public health crises. In this blog Ian Hussey makes the case for an evidence-based COVID-19 response and recovery plan for Alberta that includes feminist considerations, and makes some suggestions for what such a plan might include.
In his Address to Albertans on April 7, Premier Jason Kenney quoted Franklin Delano Roosevelt without naming him. In this blog research manager Rebecca Graff-McRae takes a deeper look at some of the context and themes of Roosevelt's "fear itself" address to find some instructive historical parallels, and some even more stark contrasts.
Last week the Alberta government's Curriculum Advisory Panel released a report containing 26 recommendations for moving curriculum forward in the province. Edmonton teacher Dan Scratch takes a look at what the impact of some of those recommendations would be on Alberta's classrooms, students, and teachers.
The UCP government has announced it will be implementing a performance-based funding model for the province's 26 post-secondary institutions. Bob Barnetson looks at what we know, and the potential impacts for post-secondary in Alberta.
Planks in the platforms
Where the major parties stand on 11 key policy issues
Heading into the final weekend of the 2019 Alberta election campaign, Parkland Institute research managers Alison McIntosh and Ian Hussey compare the platforms of the three major parties on 11 key policy areas.