Here is a site regarding the topic of Parental Rights vs. Public Schools. If Alberta Bill 44 gets 3rd reading, then the issue illustrated in the following article won't happen in Alberta. I, as a parent, would be quite thankful for that.

Parental Rights vs. Public Schools

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Here is an abstract of a conference paper as presented below.

NeJaime, Douglas. "Parental Rights, Children's Sexuality, and Schools" Paper presented at the annual meeting of the The Law and Society Association, Hilton Bonaventure, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, May 27, 2008

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There are quite a number of pro and con websites and blogs regarding the subject of parental rights. Only a couple are mentioned above. Once Bill 44 passes 3rd reading, this hullabaloo will be past tense.

I do wonder though, why it is that many of those who disagree with Bill 44 say it strikes a blow against critical thinking. It's time to get off the "critical thinking" band-wagon and do some critical thinking...

Cheers - Mike

Alberta Education has an interesting website for teachers, students, parents and administrators. It seems to be a good resource for anyone interested in education. Here is the link to Alberta Education.

At the National Research Council of Canada, students can take part in science and tech interactive activities. For teachers there is Teacher's Corner with many resources available.

Educational Resources for Beginning Teachers from Ontario is a good resource for all teachers. Although for Ontario teachers it seems to be a resource for all.

Alberta Environment has a good website about Environmental Education for students and teachers.

So, have a look around at Canadian resources. There are many to choose from.

Cheers - Mike

Bill 44 helps to enshrine the rights of parents in legislation as human rights. From the government website we have this excerpt, "Include a "parental rights" section that confirms parents' right to exempt their children from course or subject matter that explicitly deals with religion, human sexuality or sexual orientation.".

I don't like the negative aspects of teaching. Here is one item from the teachers' association which seems to be really driving them crazy... about the possible proclamation of Bill 44, which has the following passage:

Notice to parent or guardian
11.1(1) A board as defined in the School Act shall provide
notice to a parent or guardian of a student where courses of
study, educational programs or instructional materials, or
instruction or exercises, prescribed under that Act include
subject-matter that deals explicitly with religion, sexuality or
sexual orientation.
(2) Where a teacher or other person providing instruction,
teaching a course of study or educational program or using the
instructional materials referred to in subsection (1) receives a
written request signed by a parent or guardian of a student that
the student be excluded from the instruction, course of study,
educational program or use of instructional materials, the
teacher or other person shall in accordance with the request of
the parent or guardian and without academic penalty permit the
student
(a) to leave the classroom or place where the instruction,
course of study or educational program is taking place or
the instructional materials are being used for the duration
of the part of the instruction, course of study or
educational program, or the use of the instructional
materials, that includes the subject-matter referred to in
subsection (1), or
(b) to remain in the classroom or place without taking part
in the instruction, course of study or educational
program or using the instructional materials.

Look at the Alberta Teachers’ Association website home page and you'll find comments about Bill 44. An excerpt says, "School boards, parents, superintendents and teachers all agree that the bill is unnecessary, unworkable and harmful to education.". Ok, STOP right there. Here we go skewing news, this time by the teachers' association. Great. First, I am a parent and I agree with enshrining parental rights in Bill 44. I have talked with other parents and so far, all have supported enshrining parental rights. So what are these teachers really saying? Well, it seems that teachers, school boards and superintendents are only thinking of themselves - NOT their students, NOT the possible majority of parents of their students.
I cannot believe ALL teachers agree with the association stand, but I hope the teachers give it a rest and get back to work looking after their student's education.

Do school boards, etc. not like the amendments because it will be much easier for parents to file a complaint with the Human Rights Commission/Tribunal than to initiate a court case under the Education/School Act?

Or, perhaps it is the fact that if little Johnny leaves class because of a prohibited activity or lesson, the school has to provide an alternate class or lesson for Johnny.

Or, perhaps it is the fact that teachers would have to proactively send notices home with the students about "concerned" lessons/classes (Bill 44), instead of parents having to find out by some other means other than official notification from the school (School Act - which is not parent-friendly).

Under the School Act the school has the options whereas under Bill 44, the parents have the options. It appears the teaching establishment really doesn't like that particular rug pulled out from under them. I believe the "chilling" items mentioned in news media and websites are just red herrings to persuade the government to change the legislation - because, at last, parents finally will have an official say (and schools/teachers don't like it)!

Here is an article (of many) from the Calgary Herald, Lobbyist says Alberta rights bill gives power to the parents

As a final note, I like teachers on an individual basis. I find the teachers at my son's school do care. There are pros and cons to any topic. This is just one issue that seems to be dividing parents and teachers.

Cheers - Mike

PS: I find it fascinating that when teachers are going to be held accountable for certain actions, how much squirming and politicking goes on to get out of it. Wow!