Sunday, April 6, 2008

Fighting for Choice

We have a war going on right now in our education system here in NB, if you want to read all the details about it, check this blog out.

Here is a condensed version: the NB government is trying to save money by cutting the Early French Immersion program here and forcing ALL students in grade five into this new, "Intensive French" program. Kennedy goes into grade five in the fall and now I have lost the choice for her to continue to be educated in English. There are no French interpreters or itinerant teachers for students who are deaf/hard of hearing, etc...this is a nightmare. The intensive French has them in French instruction 75% of the day for FIVE months!

This is inappropriate for Kennedy and even MORE so because she will not even have access to the information even if it WERE appropriate. I've had many others come to me and tell me they feel the same way and nobody in the government, at the school district, or at the school can tell me
a) how this could possibly benefit her
or
b) how they plan on accommodating for her unique learning challenges.

They are opening themselves up for quite a bit of legal trouble in my opinion (in addition to the fact that so many people are outraged by this decision that they will be lucky to see the light of day in the next election).

I wish things could be boring - just for a little while.

So, if you're wondering where I've been lately, I've been fighting the government over this regressive decision that will adversely affect Kennedy and others as well. A government removing choice from its citizens in a democratic system - kinda sounds a little backward to me...

1 comment:

Crystal M. said...

WOW!! I do not blame you one bit for being upset I know I would. Its not like our kids do not have enough problems already.
Good luck with it all and I hope you all win and get your way!!
Hugs,
Crystal and Eva