So true.  Since Ontario is ground zero for bullying, even if children didn’t get proper socialization, perhaps they’d still be better off! 
My children were so shocked when they came back to Canada and had to attend public schools here—the lack of proper supervision at all levels (not all staff were guilty of this) left the students at the mercy of one another, plus they weren’t covering the curricula. 
A few years back our church had an after-school programme.  From school, the kids came there bouncing off the walls.  I don’t know how the teachers could get through the day.  When trying to start the programme, the school staff were very unco-operative about sending flyers home with the children to announce inform the parents (even though there are so many staff that they have to use our church parking lot—no charge).  I digress…  The church programme leader was a social worker.  She tolerated nothing.  After a few weeks the kids, aged 8—11 completely calmed down:  they were sweet and very relaxed, and even the worst, whose meds were wearing off at 4:00 p.m. became very sweet.  Malkin talking about how your daughter changed after getting out of the public school brought back those memories.  Why can’t our public schools provide a safe happy learning environment?  I’m beginning to think that our system is far more damaging with its poor teaching skills; bad curricula; apathy; and bullying than advantageous for our children.
btw, because I go to church, please don’t call me a homophobic as many of the left wing like to do.  Our minister is gay.

It shows the power of the state, if they choose to bear their full weight. Bev,  I really do not blame you to be a bit antsy to mentioned church, because it has been my experience and observations the nanny state will used church, personal beliefs against you, to justified their actions.

I am quite upset, another article where it involves a child with a hearing deficit. What is up with education and social services and kids with hearing deficits?  Last year, a couple went public in my province, who had their 2 children taken away from them, based on low IQs, and both parents had a grade 12 diploma. The reaction from the public was very harsh and directed at social services and in part the education board. Social services maintain the stance that the children lack the proper “socialization. and ” the hearing impairment of the child, indicating a failure on the parents part to applied good parenting skills, even though the child was seen by health professionals on a regular basis for the hearing problems. In a nutshell, the children were taking away on neglect charges, lack of parenting skills and the lack of social skills the day after the parents missed a medical appointment for their child, due to bad weather. The parents did not go public until 9 months or so, because they could not find out the reasons,  so they were force to go through the hoops of the system. IQ tests were first on the menu, along with drug testing, and a general invasion of their privacy, beliefs, values, and so forth. Once the parents determined it was based on IQ, it was at this point they went public. Offers poured in to help, and a few offers from top lawyers to help them for free. and the parents sued. Meanwhile, it was learned that the psychologist that did the assessment in the IQ tests, his full time job, was with the school board doing assessments for children with learning problems. Quite a few raised eyebrows, was this the right guy for the job, but it certainly showed the public how determined the state was going to take it, to defend their decisions and the right of the state, over individuals. As noted in the statement made by the Quebec judge: “
In her ruling, Judge Bernier called the mother’s teaching approach “outdated,” saying it emphasized repetition exercises and acquisition of knowledge rather than the Ministry’s preferred approach of teaching learning skills.  She also criticizes the elder children’s social development, noting that they had difficulty at first with the other children when they entered the classroom.”

Opinions over facts, and very much like what happen in the case in my province. By the way, the parents did get their children back, plus were rewarded for damages. I do not know the amount, since it was settled out of court. I believe I had read 5 cases like this since 2010,  dealing with hearing impair children.  My take is, the state is trying to make examples and are targeted families with certain values that run counter to the state’s goals and values. Abuse of power, and I do hope that the Quebec family sue the state in civil court.

Very interesting, Nancy.  Could this just be the tip of the iceburg?  It’s creepy how our freedoms are being eroded.  Is it partly because of this whole nanny state mentality or is it because the government has got so huge that it has the $$/power to be unaccountable?

What is really interesting, is who they target. The least able with limit means and resources to fight back. What is not expected, when the parents go public. It makes everyone think twice, before voicing their feelings/concerns to any government institution, and stops families from seeking help on a number of services, such as trauma or stress-related problems due to unemployment. Many of the people who spoke up, said it would stopped them from seeking government services of this nature.

As for the Quebec family, crossing swords with educrats, can produced an outcome like this. One of the many outcomes that parents fear and prevents them from voicing their concerns. I believe it is part of the systemic discrimination that is built into the structure of the public education system, to silence parents.

I was always waiting for the knock on the door, especially when I send out my letters to the high place educrats of the ministry. Playing it the way that I did, school board and the school could have played hard ball with me, especially after receiving unpleasant phone calls from the ministry of education. But I learned one thing, I could write all the letters I wanted, but the moment I went public all bets were off. So, I never went public, until my child was in grade 8. I threaten the ministry of education, that I will be residing in the waiting room of ministry of education, homeschooling my child and speaking to the press, the horror story of trying to get help for my child, on the most basic educational needs, reading, writing and numeracy. My goal at the time, was to force the board and the school to follow their own rules and regulations regarding LD children. According to the education consultant, they broke their own rules from day one that I stepped into the school, with the documentation of my child by the health professionals of Ontario. According to the rules, a referral to the children’s hospital for assessment on learning disabilities and to rule out any disorders and conditions. Just before school started, I received a phone call from the ministry, to expect the school and the board to be fixing it, and she also added, your child should have been receiving the special education services on reading, writing and numeracy a long time ago. She thank me for informing her, and than she asked,  I take it I won’t be seeing you at my office on the first day of school. We both laugh, and we ended the conversation, where she asked me to keep her inform, and if you run into anymore trouble. The IEP meeting that follow, I never seen so many educrats from the board level sitting in one room, all prepare to defend their actions or non-actions regarding my child. Thankfully, the three teachers were on my side, including the principal who knew my child since grade 1. From the day I have had no more problems from the educrats at the board level. And the bonus, they are following their own rules and regulations regarding my child.

Throughout the process, I was always fearful of the knock on the door, or repercussions for my child. It is why I am super sensitive when the state abuses their power and position, just because they can. I was on my best behaviour at all times.

You were smart, Nancy, and you got what your child needed.  Many parents get tangled up in the system and can’t find their way out.  I used to call the ministry all the time, which made me a ‘marked women’   When my children got to high school, the most militant teachers told me of my doings
For some reason, when the supers and other staff aren’t doint their jobs, they don’t like the ministry knowing about, so like you, I found complaining to the ministry, when all other avenues had been exhausted, an effective tool.