Guitars, Not Gangs
Music education and reaching at-risk youth
By Gary Crawford
I recall attending a parent council meeting at my local school a few years ago at which a parent expressed her surprise about a seminar she had just attended. The seminar in question was about the benefits of music and music education on children and youth. Benefits leading to success – success in school, success in fostering intelligence and success in life. I remember my automatic response being, “but of course.” Having grown up with exposure to music and the arts, I simply assumed the importance of the role of music in education.
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Also posted in Education |
A lesson from Barack Obama
Education is vitally important, so why not pay good teachers more, jettison the bad ones?
By MOIRA MACDONALD, The Toronto Sun
March 23rd, 2009
Extra pay for teachers who get results. Dumping bad teachers who never get better. Expansion of charter schools. A longer school day.
This is not a review of George W. Bush’s education policies.
These are a few ideas from a recent speech by President Barack Obama.
It was the first major speech Obama has made on education since coming to office. It was delivered nearly two weeks ago to the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce — business leaders from a community whose children are often amongst the most struggling academically.
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Also posted in Education |
A few years ago the then Chair of the Toronto District School Board, Sheila Ward and I had dinner with the former Superintendent of Education for the Edmonton School Board, Angus McBeath. He was in town and we thought it would be interesting to have a discussion with him about education. To say the evening was intriguing, animated, delightful and inspiring was an understatement. His words and passion about education still resonate in my mind today.
“Considered one of the top educators in North America, AIMS Fellow in Public Education Reform Angus McBeath is making a difference in public education. As superintendent of the public schools in Edmonton, Mr. McBeath (pronounced McBeth) lead the ongoing effort to improve student achievement in that city’s public school system. The Edmonton School Model is held as one of the finest in North America.”
“An educator for 30 years, Angus McBeath began his teaching career in 1972 in Prince Edward Island.. He is in demand across North America as a dynamic speaker with a truly remarkable story to tell about how public schools can reinvent themselves to meet the needs of a modern, diverse and demanding society where educational achievement is the key to success.”
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Also posted in Education |
I became a public school trustee 5 years ago because I firmly believe in a strong public education system. The education of our youth is one of my strongest passions. If we don’t get it right with our children they, along with society will suffer. Through this studio blog I will be posting articles of interest and intrigue about education. From articles about the importance of the arts in education to “choice” and the ability of parents to participate and decide on the kind of education they want for their children.
By: Editorial – Toronto Star, 10/19/2006
This is an edited excerpt of a speech that Senator Hugh Segal gave at a tribute dinner for Annie Kidder of People for Education:
… We look out at a world that sometimes looks a little like it’s gone mad. Random violence in various geopolitical regions, nihilist groups determined to use the death of innocents simply to make a point, demographic pressures that force rational countries to embrace the pluralism and diversity of greater immigration, anxieties about the mix between national security and individual freedom and a rising tide of opportunity for our young people if they are well educated to take on the world in their chosen area of passion and endeavour.
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