September 20, 2007
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ASBA moves to online annual report featuring sound clips
Check out the online edition of the ASBA's 2006-2007 annual report. Posting an interactive version of the report, which features sound bites from ASBA President Maureen Kubinec, former ASBA President Dr. Roy Wilson and ASBA Zone Chairs Frances Bissell, Morag Pansegrau, Jackie Swainson, Wendy Metzger and Marjorie Moncrieff, supports the ASBA Board of Directors' commitment, through the recent governance review, to take advantage of technology. Hard copies of the report, which highlights the work of the ASBA over the past year, have been circulated to trustees and to jurisdiction offices. We'd love to hear what you think of our first ever attempt at an electronic edition. Contact ASBA Director of Communications .

 

Report explores teacher unions' influence
The Getting the Fox out of the Schoolroom: How the Public Can Take Back Public Education (PDF–350K), looks at the role of teachers' unions in Canada's education system. Authors Michael C. Swaagstra, Rodney A. Clifton and John C. Long recommend taking the following steps in "rebalancing the interests of teachers' unions and the public to achieve more effective schools and school systems":

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Use a standardized testing regime to assess the achievement of students

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Give parents greater choice in the schools their children attend

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Adjust salary schemes for teachers, to recognize meritorious performance

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Remove principals from the bargaining unit for teachers; and 

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Replace the provisions for strike and lockout with binding arbitration

The report is published by the Atlantic Institute for Market Studies, a non-profit and non-partisan organization based in Atlantic Canada.

 

See the ASBA website for round-up of education news stories
To give trustees and senior administrators access to current education news, stories from newspapers across the province are posted on the front page of the ASBA website.

 

Survey of transportation practices first step for advocacy committee
Thanks to the 32 school boards who have completed the ASBA's 2007 Transportation Survey. The survey is the first initiative in support of the ASBA's transportation advocacy priority. The deadline to complete the online survey is Oct. 12. Directors Gerry Steinke (Zone 2/3) and Bev Esslinger (Edmonton Public Schools) are leading this initiative. For more information contact .

Who has responded to the survey so far?
Foothills School Division
Lethbridge School District
Calgary Board of Education
Livingstone Range
Northland School Division
St. Albert Protestant Schools
Golden Hills
Peace Wapiti
Buffalo Trail PS Regional Division
Greater St. Albert Catholic
East Central Alberta
Westwind School Division
Grande Prairie Catholic
Palliser Regional Division
Lakeland RCSSD
Medicine Hat School District
Canadian Rockies School Division
St. Paul Regional Education
Grande Yellowhead
Black Gold Regional Schools
Grande Prairie Public
Edmonton Catholic
Chinooks Edge
Elk Island Catholic
Fort McMurray Public School District
Grande Prairie RCSSD
Holy Family Catholic Regional Division
High Prairie School Division
Sturgeon School Division
Greater Southern SC Francophone Ed Reg No. 4
Pembina Hills
Wild Rose School Division

 

What’s new at www.asba.ab.ca?

Agenda Sept. 12 and 13 Board of Directors meeting (PDF–86K)

Highlights Sept. 12 and 13 Board of Directors meeting (PDF–106K)

Year-end report: ASBA Strategic Plan (2006-2009) (PDF–216K)

Interactive annual report debuts

Report explores influence of unions

ASBA website posts education news stories

32 boards complete transportation survey

 

Please distribute to Trustees, the Superintendent and the Secretary Treasurer. For more information phone 1.780.451.7122