Ian Palmer
A government report which recommends giving parents more say in the operation of local schools has received overwhelming support.
However, there is concern about some aspects of the report.
Politicians, parents and teacher unions widely supported the Education Improvement Commission’s 112-page report, released last month.
Responsible for monitoring changes in the school board system, the agency’s review on school councils contains 43 recommendations which include parental involvement in hiring principals and creating a parents’ bill of rights.
School trustee Albert Chambers says the EIC’s proposals, if adopted, would change the mandate, not the current structure or composition, of school councils.
“We’re looking at existing councils. Their mandate will be changing as will their relationship with the board,” says Chambers.
“What we’re seeing here is some specific suggestions as to how councils can better fit within the board’s structure.”
Ottawa Centre Liberal MPP Richard Patten says he sees problems in giving parents a veto over whether or not a principal is hired, because some parents may be excluded from the process.
“Especially in new immigrant areas, it often takes a few years before parents take a role in the community,” says Patten. “There should be a role for parents to make suggestions. For example, if someone wants to be the principal of a French immersion school, they should be able to speak French. Parents I speak to say they don’t want to make the operational decisions.”
Chambers agrees. “Parents won’t have decision-making power. They’ll have an advisory role in selecting principals,” says Chambers. “But that they should have a role in selection is very important.”
Lisa Falls, vice president of the Ontario Elementary School Teachers’ Federation, says “school councils are advisory bodies. They’re not decision makers. One of the areas in which they should have decision-making power is over discretionary funds.”
Chambers questions the recommendation for the creation of a parents’ bill of rights, ensuring unrestricted access to information relating to their child’s performance. He says parents have always held this right.
“I’ve not encountered situations in which parents couldn’t get information on their children,” says Chambers. “I don’t think you can come across a principal who wouldn’t encourage parents in this regard.”
Parental involvement is crucial says Bill Filleter, co-chair of the Elgin Street public school council. However, he says many parents don’t participate fully now by not even bothering to show up for meet-the-teacher night.
“You would think parents would be interested in meeting teachers,” says Filleter.
The School File
The Issue: A government report suggests giving existing school councils more power
What’s New: Among the recommendations are for parent councils to acquire an advisory role in the selection of principals and for a parents’ bill of rights.
What it means: School councils would get a greater say in matter affecting their children and local schools.
What’s next: If the report is implemented, the boards will have to create a new mandate for school councils.