Cuts to education funding - a smarter way?

Listening and reading the many media stories on cuts to education this week have left me feeling slightly overwhelmed.  Doom and gloom predictions of massive layoffs, cuts to special education programs, school closures...  You name it, we've heard it.  There's no doubt that Nova Scotia needs to tighten it's fiscal belt, but let's start looking for a smarter way to do it.  Here is my two cents.

Rhonda

We've been blogging about the impact of cuts to education since the provincial government asked Boards to start planning for a 22% budget trim.  The Nova Scotia School Boards Association weighed in on Tuesday, with predictions of 70 school closures, 4000 job losses, 200 fewer school buses and massive cuts to programs.  I heard a spokesperson predict an end to supports for students with special needs, a sentiment echoed yesterday by opposition MLAs.

Will there be a one-time budget cut of 22%?  Probably not.  Will 4000 people lose their jobs?  Probably not.  But the government has made it very clear that cuts will be coming, and they will be deeper than anything we've likely seen before. 

Rather than continuing to speculate about the impact of those cuts, maybe it's time to start thinking differently about the way we deliver education.  Maybe we should adopt a business model for education that gives families the power to decide where, and how, their children will be educated.  Maybe we should start developing specialized schools that can cater to the various learning needs of our kids.  Instead of closing schools, we could allow them to become "Centres of Excellence" in Arts, Applied learning, learning disabilities, etc.     

Why don't we take a look at Alberta's model of School Choice.  In that province, parents can choose from a mix of public, Catholic, Francophone, private and charter schools.  If parents choose to step outside of the public system to an accredited private school, they still receive funding support.  In fact, the province of Alberta has supported this freedom of choice since 1967, and today, they will fund 60-70% of the cost of tuition to families who choose to move their student to a private school that meets their needs.

Charter schools in Alberta are public, non-profit organizations that offer enhanced learning options, and they're FREE.  There are schools for english as a second langugage, at-risk youth, arts immersion, science, indiginous teaching, music, gifted students, leadership, etc. 

Nova Scotia is already offering some choice to parents with their support of the Designated Special Education Private Schools in Nova Scotia.  Students with learning disabilities who are accepted to one of those schools and who meet the funding criteria are eligible to receive $7100 in tuition support per child.  A bargain, considering the cost of educating the same student in the public school system with added support resources is much higher.  Still, those funds are restricted to a few who meet criteria, and have recently been capped at four years.  We can do much, much better, but it's a start.

Does school choice save money?  Get on Google and you'll find no end of opinions on both sides of the debate.  But why can't we take a look, figure out what DOES work and create a Made in Nova Scotia solution?


A few more voices

Kudos to the Equal Education Association of Nova Scotia and Choice Words (search for them on Facebook) for staying on top of cuts to funding.  Here are a few of their comments, posted by their members in response to to an article in today's Chronicle Herald:

EEANS:

Obviously there is a lot of manoeuvring (or is that manure) going on here.


1. The government lays down a target that is far too much in too short of a time so that a cut of half that amount will leave the public feeling thankful. There is ample published evidence that literacy is directly related to economic output and health care. So much so that a very small increase in national literacy skills relates to BILLIONS of improvement in Canada's GDP. Is this government really so short sighted to sell out Nova Scotia's future?

2. The boards jump to the conclusion that they need to close schools. To close a school takes 3 years under the current regulation, so it’s moot. Of course any mention of consolidating boards is not publicly considered.

3. Lastly those arguing against the cuts are quick to assume groups like special needs students will be the target. When it comes to reducing services we need to yell loud and long that accommodating special needs is guaranteed under the Charter and upheld by Supreme court ruling. The structure of school boards, management positions, the IB program, band class, and football programs are not.

If we are going to throw about claims of cuts, let’s talk about what is really achievable and will strengthen the education system and therefore the province for the long haul!

Choice Words:
 
If our children don't get the proper education in school, how on earth does the government/Education system expect them to get decent well paying jobs once they are out of school. Guess the government wants them to go on Assistance and live week to week on hardly anything!
 
It is about time that the Government is standing up and saying something about Education, and that they are concerned about it! As a parent of a child with Special Needs/Learning Disabilities I am also VERY concerned about this, because I know what is going to get hit hard with these cuts...it is most likely going to be Special Need support services/Resources/EPA's etc. This part of the Education system is already seriously lacking, and only those who work with these children or those who have children with Special Needs/Learning Disabilities would know how bad it is. Just hope more Government officials will make it a priority to stop making HUGE cuts to our Education System! Our kids deserve the best education, with the best resources/services there are out there to ensure they will be able to get a well paying job. Our children's education and future is important, will you stand up and speak out?? I have been speaking out now for awhile, and plan on continuing to do so! Please come on over to "Choice Words" facebook page group, it is a advocate/support groups for families of children with Special Needs/Learning Disabilities who are trying to make a difference!