In her column in yesterday’s edition of The Province, Christy Clark argued that as far as schools go “inclusion” doesn’t work for everyone, so we ought to try segregated schools for aboriginal students, children with autism, “gifted” children etc.
The column—which lauds the idea of segregated “model” schools proposed by BC Minister of Education Shirley Bond—suggests that the only way diverse needs of students can be met is through creation of separate schools. Along the way Clark repeats dubious claims regarding the evidence on the effectiveness of gender segregated schools as well as twisting the concept of “diversity” into “parental choice” (in support of privatized alternatives) as opposed to the basis for public schools that that have the ways and means to adapt instruction to serve the full spectrum of student needs.
Here’s the column:
Our public schools should value diversity, not simply conformity
Here’s the letter I sent The Province.
Our public schools should value diversity, not simply conformity
Christy Clark
The Province
Sunday, February 25, 2007
The people who make a virtue of ignoring the differences between us are at it again. This time, they’re attacking the provincial government’s plan to create “model schools.”
Model schools are the latest plan to give parents more choices. Education Minister Shirley Bond says she will build provincial schools — not ones run by school boards — that will cater to specific needs.
She imagines a school for children with autism. She’s also suggested an aboriginal school.
The idea has some fans. It also has some powerful opponents. The New Democrats and their allies in the BCTF were first out of the gate.
They argue that a school for autistic children will turn back the clock 20 years — back to the days when they were forced into segregated classrooms.
Segregation was rotten policy — they’re right about that, at least. It was a terrible loss for both special-needs students and the “typical” ones. It stigmatized one group, and it stole from the rest opportunities to learn that people who are disabled are as complex and interesting as anyone else.
Segregation didn’t work as a general rule. But rules have exceptions, and inclusion hasn’t worked for everyone.
Some children simply cannot meet their potential in a regular classroom, no matter how many resources are devoted to the task. Some cannot learn in the noisy commotion of the average school. Their brains aren’t wired that way. Insisting that every child should be forced into a similar school cruelly shortchanges hundreds of them — and not just those with special needs.
There are other groups who could benefit from special schools. Bond has talked about aboriginals, but she could go much further.
She could create a school for “gifted” children — ones who are incredibly bright, but who tend to drop out or do badly because their wiring is different, too.
She could consider single- sex schools.
There is a growing body of evidence that boys’ and girls’ heads are hardwired differently. The areas used for spatial relations and geometry develop in boys’ brains before the areas for language.
In girls, it’s the opposite. Boys respond better to sequential direction. Girls need visuals and time to ask questions. Girls even hear better — something that also influences the classroom dynamic.
It is true that a limited range of choice does exist within the public system. But the array choice pales in comparison with what the private system has to offer.
Across the province, parents are voting with their feet.
They’re paying to send their kids to private schools. Those long waiting lists make it crystal-clear that many parents can’t find what their kids need in a public system that seems to value conformity over diversity.
It’s a shame that the critics of choice have stymied change for so long. It’s heartening that the province might now be willing to make change, despite them.
— christyclark@shaw.ca
© The Vancouver Province 2007
Copyright © 2007 CanWest Interactive, a division of CanWest MediaWorks Publications, Inc.. All rights reserved.
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They already have a “segregated school” for mentally ill students; it’s called the psych ward.
The “segregated school” for juvenile delinquents is called “alternative school.”
And the “segregated school” for juvenile substance abuse is called “12 step youth meetings.”
However, if I had kids today, I’d home school. Family comes before the State.