If I Ruled the World...

...of Education I would:

- make class sizes smaller. Primary would have no more than 15, junior no more than 20, and intermediate no more than 25. Class sizes are huge at some schools and despite this 'new research' that the government says indicates that children can learn regardless of the class size, I strongly disagree. A teacher cannot teach children to the fullest extent with the huge diversity of children and disproportionate number of unsupported children with complex diagnoses.

- give each class would have an Educational Assistant to help children who needed it. Some kids just need that help to be successful. Some need movement breaks. Some need to work elsewhere. Last time I checked, one adult cannot be split into a million pieces. Teachers need the support to do their jobs and supervise students properly.

- split grades would not exist. Not only is it not fair to the students but it is also unfair to the teacher who has to do twice the amount of work for the same amount of pay and prep periods as a teacher in a straight grade. Differentiation is not the same as teaching two curriculums.

- make sure kids had phys ed every day. They need the movement and something needs to be done about childhood obesity.

- reinstate specialist teachers for the Arts and Phys Ed/Health. The master of all trades cannot be an expert in them all.

- insist on higher qualifications for teachers in special education roles. And give them proper and adequate support as they teach the most vulnerable of our children.

- make support services within the community mandatory for at-risk children. I'd reduce wait lists by having more specialized support workers/teachers available to children so they aren't on a 3-year wait period.

- give every school a vice principal because no teacher should have to teach their class AND cover the office duties at the same time.

- reinstate workshops during school time. Doing extra workshops to continue and support learning is important. Not everyone can make their schedules work to go after hours.

- change the course of non-existent discipline. Children have too much power and get away with way too much these days. Teachers are there to teach, not babysit and discipline all day. It's not fair to the other students.

- give each student a netbook or iPad so that they can be the '21st century learners' that we're supposed to be fostering.

- change the report card to be easier to understand. I'd eliminate EQAO and replace it with more efficient, applicable standardized testing.

And so there you have it. If I ruled the world...education would be in a much better state. It would be billions more in debt...but it would be awesome.