Dear fellow petitioners, Please join me on May 29th, 6pm at the Lister Centre (UofA campus) to meet with top Alberta education officials (TBA). I want them to hear all our concerns directly from you, and I want them to take actions immediately. Time is of the essence in our children's formative years. I am tired of the ministry/superintendents/principals/school boards & councils ignoring us because they have vested interests in Inspiring Education. What good is more money when it is being wasted on unproven and harmful practices? Significant changes have to happen by Sept 2015 because every year lost to this un-Inspiring Education/Discovery math initiative is another generation of children with doors closed to them. Our guest speakers will be: Dr. Robert Craigen -- one half of the Craigen/Stokke team of mathematicians who are leading the charge to reestablish strong fundamentals in math. Dr. Vladimir Troitsky - a local UofA mathematician. Mr Stuart Wachowicz - an educator with a respected history in Alberta curriculum design. Also was influential in the formation of the Cogito schools. Please RSVP at mrgranthd@yahoo.ca so I know that we have a big enough room. I will also try to get the media out. Invite your principals and teachers. Everyone needs to hear of the harm they are causing our children, and they need to rectify the matter now. This needs to come to a head. Not all of us can afford private education. My children, your children's future are at stake. Warmest regards, Dr. Nhung Tran-Davies https://www.facebook.com/pages/Alberta-Math-Petition/715037091853017 ps. http://www.edmontonjournal.com/touch/story.html?id=11018706 pps. My apologies for forgetting to get the opinions of the Alberta Party and Green Party re their stance on Inspiring education. I tried contacting them, but still no word. I hope you will vote wisely on May 5th. This is Alberta Party's stance on education in general, from their website: http://www.albertaparty.ca/education And these are words from my local Green Party rep re education in general: The Green Party of Alberta also advocates for many issues within the education system, some of which are listed below: Investing in Education Universal public education has long been the pride of Canadians. Education is an essential building block of our society and a well-educated province will be a top priority for Green MLAs. Today’s education policy reflects yesterday’s knowledge and practices and is in need of a significant upgrade. It marginalizes opportunities for the learning disabled, gifted learners, older teens, and Alberta First Nations. It falls short of providing students with the knowledge and experience they will need to meet future environmental and social challenges. The focus for Greens is on the individual needs of students with different abilities and interests to make sure all students receive a strong education. The Green Party of Alberta supports an education system that develops all Albertans’ strengths, potential, natural desire to learn, and curiosity. Lifelong learning and the skills needed for students of all ages to participate meaningfully in society are strong Green Party commitments. Green MLAs will work to develop solutions to reduce costs for students including tuition charges for universities, colleges, and trade schools. - It is unacceptable that students leave higher education with extraordinary levels of debt. A Green Party government will work to improve affordability and accessibility as we move towards a more equitable system of adequate stable funding of education. The GPA Government will reinstate funding for extra-curricular sports, fine arts, and student clubs that encourage healthy community spirit, creativity, and leadership. Schools should not be stressful places for children. But in Canada even very young students (estimates are 30% or more) are unhappy and under extreme stress. Producing stressed out robots is not beneficial to the students or society. Finland, which follows the principles listed below, tops global educational results. Accordingly the GPA supports the following: Formal instruction will not begin before a child is six years old. Daycares and early childhood classes will encourage play and outdoor activity when at all possible. Special education must be such an integral part of the system that it has no stigma attached. Early identification and resolution of problems will be the focus and necessary support resources will be available. A Green Party government’s required educational outcomes will include teaching tolerance, good citizenship and sustainable, healthy living that includes human sexuality. Schools as focal points in the community: The Green Party of Alberta supports transforming schools into community centres offering programs such as libraries, recreation facilities, technology and training areas, fine arts theatres, and studios in partnership with municipalities and the elementary and secondary schools. Advanced Education The Green Party of Alberta supports extending formal learning opportunities past high school into post-secondary education and beyond, to life-long learning for all Albertans whatever their educational needs and desires. The Party recognizes that continuing education is key to ensuring that Albertans are well prepared for the employment opportunities presented by the new, greener economy. Policies must ensure that people who want to upgrade their education, technical skills or English language abilities can do so without going into burdensome debt.