This month our local grade 4 and 7 students spent a number of hours writing a standardized test called the Foundations Skills test. The test measures reading, writing and numeracy skills across BC for 10 and 13 year old students.
The data collected is released by the Ministry of Education and compiled a year later as the sole data source in a ranking of schools conducted by a right wing think tank whose stated policy is to eliminate public education and open education up for investment and presumably profit making.
Last night at my child's school I was fortunate enough to experience an event that proves beyond a doubt that anyone who takes the ranking seriously has no idea of what really goes on in our schools.
Last night my son and his classmates put on a performance at a dinner theatre in the gym with parents and grandparents as honoured guests. The class under the direction of their skilled and experienced teacher wrote a play, choreographed numerous dances and sang some fabulous songs.
In addition they designed and created sets and decorations, set up the lighting and sound systems, created multiple Powerpoint presentations, built pottery and place mats for the table as well as serving dinner and cleaning up afterwards.
The play was a wonderful story of getting along and getting past prejudice. The months long endeavour was a complex learning experience bringing in strands from all over the grade five curriculum and the children felt rightly proud of their efforts.
The opportunity to show their learning to parents and grandparents was a highlight of the year for the class. None of this will be included in next years ranking of the school and that is exactly why we should all ignore them.
Matt Pearce
Vice-president P.G. and Diatrict Teachers Association
Prince George
