As summer approaches, parents are already starting to think about finding the best school for their children to attend in September. While most students go to their local government public school, there are also options available for independent schools, homeschooling, and public charter schools in Alberta. However, the number of options varies depending on where parents live, with those in Alberta and British Columbia having more choices compared to parents in Atlantic Canada.
Expanding school choice is essential, and one way to achieve this is by allowing the money to follow the student to the school of their parents’ choice, be it public, independent, or charter. This empowers parents to choose the school that aligns best with their children’s needs, rather than having them pay twice for education through taxes and tuition fees when opting for independent schools.
However, providing parents with more choice is only part of the solution. It is equally crucial to ensure that parents have access to accurate and reliable information about the available schools. Like visiting a car dealership where customers need information about the vehicles they are considering, parents require comprehensive information about the schools they are considering for their children. Not all schools are equally effective when it comes to improving student achievement, and parents need to know which ones are more successful.
Dr. John Hattie, an eminent researcher on educational effectiveness, has conducted extensive research on the subject. His book, “Visible Learning: The Sequel,” synthesizes thousands of studies to identify the methods that work best in classrooms. For example, when it comes to learning how to read, intentional instruction in phonics, where students learn to sound out words on a page, is proven to be highly effective. On the other hand, whole language/balanced literacy programs that rely on students figuring out word meanings on their own or guessing based on pictures are significantly less effective.
The same holds true for basic math skills. Explicit instruction, where teachers directly demonstrate how to solve specific math problems, has been found to improve students’ math proficiency. Consequently, schools should ensure they provide this type of instruction to their students.
However, most parents do not have the time or expertise to evaluate the specific curriculum and teaching methods used in each school. Fortunately, tools are available to provide parents with the necessary information. One of the most vital tools is standardized testing, which all students in a grade or course take simultaneously every year. Consistent testing and publicly available results for each school allow parents to see which schools and teachers are effectively helping students academically. Organizations like the Fraser Institute further support parents by publishing school report cards based on the information provided by standardized tests, helping them interpret the data.
In addition to academic performance, parents also need access to key safety information, considering the rise in serious incidents within schools. For instance, the state of Kentucky requires school administrators to input behavioral incidents such as assaults and drug use into a state database, which is then compiled and made accessible to the public. Kentucky parents can visit a website that provides crucial information about the academic performance and safety of each school, enabling them to make informed decisions when selecting schools for their children.
As students prepare to return to school this fall, it is crucial for parents to have the assurance that their children are in the right school. This can only happen if parents have ample options available and receive the necessary information to make informed educational decisions.
Michael Zwaagstra, a public high school teacher and senior fellow with the Fraser Institute, emphasizes the importance of expanding school choice and providing parents with accurate information to support their decision-making process. These views expressed in the article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
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