Insider Information On Hudak’s ToDos

From Educhatter   http://educhatter.wordpress.com/2011/05/05/school-accountability-whats-next-on-the-reform-agenda/#comments  May 30, 2011 at 2:21 pm we have 5 forecasts from insider Doug.  I find #4 and #5 interesting:

—“Hudak will change union dues opt out for politics. Supreme Court has already said no problem. We’ll see.

—“Hudak will bring in phonics (snooze)”

I find the one about union dues very important and significant.  It would be the first in Canada and I hope the word spreads about this so that Hudak can be held to this promise.

For teacher union members to be able to get a rebate for that portion of their dues used for political purposes is a big step for teachers to assert that they are professionals rather than industrial workers.  Also opens the way for professional associations of teachers, and opens the way for provincial legislations to not mandate union membership in order to teach in government schools.

The opt-out provision is common in most states in USA.

Would be a first in Canada, and would be welcome in BC too.

good post Malkin - something topical most everyone can relate to quickly.

“the Tories are hoping to appease the province’s powerful teachers’ unions….”

for sure! It’s all about trying not to draw unnecessary attention to an issue that’s a sore spot thanks to the failed faith-based fiasco from last time.

However, the opposition are already going after Hudak by flipping the spin to suggest that Hudak actually can find nothing wrong in what the McGuinty Liberals have done over their mandate so therefore, according to the Liberals Hudak and co. actually support what the McGuinty Liberals have done.

Also, McGuinty and co. are now playing the fear element
with voters re: full-day kindergarten, as illustrated here:

http://www.torontosun.com/2011/06/01/dont-trust-tories-on-kindergarten-mcguinty

Tunya - if Hudak’s education plan is what it is because they’re worried about union back lash I don’t see Hudak or his team openly campaigning on this point. They’ve done their homework quietly with teachers so he does have support on this. 

When Harris got his two majorities it was individual teachers, not their unions who made the difference.

Sometimes those quiet consultations pay off.

What I’m really disappointed about with the Hudak education plan is that there is still nothing for small town/rural systems. School closures out this way were the no. 2 issue after the whole wind-turbine/green energy issue when folks were asked to list their concerns.

There’s also nothing that would see boards be more accountable to their communities.

Let’s not forget that a great number of teachers are also parents…