Bill 44, enshrining parental rights protection, passed third reading this week. The School Act didn't cut it really. This bill states parental rights much more clearly.

There is still a lot of pro and con talk about it, but it is done, so now is the time to see how we work with it. Really, students haven't changed, parents haven't changed and teachers haven't changed. Life goes on, schooling goes on. There is nothing to fear here, but the fear-mongers are commenting and blogging about the possible negative aftermath, which I am convinced will never happen. When you read the comments you see how much intolerance and close-mindedness there is from people who apparently regard themselves as free thinkers. Wow. Not really.

Have a look at this story and the comments in the Edmonton Journal, and see how much hate comes through. From adults? Well, in form perhaps... And, from what I can see, all males. The females who are commenting certainly have their opinions too, and are polite about it. And yes, a few males do comment politely. Good for them. Interesting. Notice how the intolerant come down on those who don't agree with them. Thousands of years, and we haven't learned how to get along with each other. Heck, apparently for some, being considerate and polite is not the way to treat each other. No such thing as an open debate here - it seems to be a you against me attitude, which has been going on for far too long.

What is it - because we're human each of us thinks we have the ONLY answer? Frankly, I applaud the politicians for having the gumption to pass it through. It will help take the confusion and fuzziness out of "rights" - of parents, teachers and indeed, students.

Now parents have options and teachers have options. There is nothing drastic here. There is nothing that will affect a student's "critical thinking" skills. Good grief! Talk with the kids - they WILL surprise you!

I think we will see that all this hullabaloo is really much ado about nothing.

Cheers - Mike

PS: Not all teachers are perfect, not all students either. In another blog I will bring up some points and real world examples of each.