To do
*Show your support for the program by attending the December 15th school board meeting (8pm at 133 Greenbank Rd). Wear an orange shirt or pick up one of our great stickers.
*It's not too late to write a letter about your experience with the alternative program. Letters will be accepted at the board's email address for the review (elementary_alternative_review@ocdsb.ca) into January.
*And, of course, you can still record a video message at http://pages.overlay.tv/asac/
To read
*The iterim report is now available at
http://tinyurl.com/interim-report (this will open a pdf document)
Please note that, although it is 130 pages, it does not include an executive summary, the recommendations or any financial data. What it does have is the full survey analysis and literature review, as well as statistical data.
*Media mentions
EMC West ran a nice article on the program review. It is available at http://tinyurl.com/emcwest-article
As well, the Ottawa Citizen is publishing a series of letters to the editor about the review, gleaned from our large set of responses. Here are the latest two:
Alternative schooling motivates children from within, Jenepher Lennox Terrion, Letters to the Editor, The Ottawa Citizen, November 28, 2009.
"My conclusion is that those who somehow developed a love of learning, the confidence to ask questions, and the self efficacy to change their mental models when confronted with new ideas are the ones who are truly engaged in higher education."
Parents more actively engaged in alternative schools, Judi Pearl, Letters to the Editor, The Ottawa Citizen, November 30, 2009.
"The alternative program remains on the cutting edge of advances in education. The alternative program is the best option we have to develop the leaders, innovators and problem-solvers of the future.
Rather than the competitive, rewards-based environment of the non-alternative program, the alternative program teaches our children to work together for the benefit of all. It is a program which should be made available to more, not fewer, children."
Current/Upcoming
*The lobbying team is working at arranging ongoing meetings with trustees.
*A minority report is being written by parents and other interested parties. It will address both deficiencies in the review and highlight the ways in which the program can be strengthened and improved.
*A wonderful selection of stickers and posters are now being used at meetings at the board and otherwise. Thanks to Barbara Boole for the great work!
*At the December 8th meeting of the Board's Education Committee, the interim report will be presented. As well, there will be three presentations by members of the alternative education community.
Questions/comments? programreview@asac-ottawa.org