The report cards are in, but what do they mean? Dr. Joel Westheimer, who recently spoke at Lady Evelyn, explains on CBC Morning (radio) why report cards have become almost unintelligable.

There is an animated version of a talk entitled "Changing Education Paradigms", adapted from a talk given at the RSA by Sir Ken Robinson, world-renowned education and creativity expert and recipient of the RSA's Benjamin Franklin award. The talk discusses the history and goals of education and why it's reliance on standardized testing, single grades and single-topic thinking stiffles creativity and lateral thinking.

For more information on Sir Ken's work visit: http://www.sirkenrobinson.com

The "Ottawa Parent's Eduction Network" has sent a questionaire to all candidates. Some responses are available now. While not tied to the Alternative prtogram, the group does ask some relavant questions about parental involvement, accountability and consultation. Two questions that directly concern our community are:

7. Last year, the Board reviewed its Alternative Schools program and its Secondary Gifted program. Despite strong stakeholder support for these programs, Board staff recommended that they either be closed or eventually phased out. As a trustee, what kind of information would you seek and what would kind of questions would you ask in order to come to a decision when staff recommendations are opposed to the views of the community?

16. The Alternative Schools program was reviewed this past year and found by the Board to have many benefits for students. As a trustee, would you ensure not this program is continued and is extended to zones where it’s not currently available?

Annie Kidder of People for Education, a parent-led organization, said testing every single student in Ontario is not necessary.

"The testing drives the system rather than the other way around," said Kidder, adding that policy ends up focusing on one area of learning and skews the whole education system.

Kidder has said assessments should be done by sample testing.