It’s that time of the year when the conservative Fraser Institute releases its report card on secondary schools.
Right off the start, there’s nothing wrong with focusing on provincial exam and graduation rates. Comparing how a school did year-over-year will hopefully lead educators to determine if there are changes required to improve student success.
But the flaw with the Fraser Institute is it portrays provincial exams as the only factor that is relevant in the classroom.
It doesn’t consider the broad spectrum of school life — sports, arts, trades or the courses without provincial exams. No where does it mention the extra-curricular activities and particularly those that make students socially aware of the world around them.
The Fraser Institute doesn’t make any reference to the hard work many teachers put in to ensure that some students stay in school instead of dropping out. Clothes and food may be provided to those from lower-income families, while many teachers are also willing to be a sounding board for those navigating the turmoil of the teenage years.
Most of the schools ranked at the top are private and because tuition is required, they don’t generally include students from disadvantaged homes like their public counterparts.
Ultimately, academic results are important but so are all of the other components of school. With luck, they come together to help form a well-rounded individual who is prepared to leave school and become a contributing member of society.
The ranking of schools only fosters elitism and that is a lesson students and parents should be quick to avoid.
—Vernon Morning Star
