This point is under determined attack in British Columbia. YESTERDAY I
received a bargaining bulletin (as school staff rep) which reiterated the
stand of the association of the school boards that they consider teacher
classroom autonomy clauses in contracts as "insidious". They have stated
that such clauses are the main obstacle to administrative officers carrying
out their assigned duties.
What we face here is the desire to view teachers, not as professionals, but
as automatons who may be programmed in the correct way (as viewed by
administrators, boards, committees, whatever) to teach in the classroom and
to discipline in the classroom. The administrators, committees, boards, etc.
in their exhalted wisdom shall be able to determine correct teaching
methods, etc. Imagine your principal or eager vice principal able to come
into your classroom and inform you that it has been decided that EACH
student in each your 4 or 5 highschool classes must be put on an individual
learning plan. This plan must be drawn up by yourself in consultation with
each student and his/her parents. Or imagine some administrator who was an
incompetent teacher and escaped into administration telling you how you
should teach in your own classroom! An don't worry, they will do so if
permitted.
If teacher automomy clauses are not strongly upheld a form of slavery will
result. Also, never forget that there are many administrators to whom the
statement "for the good of the school and the students" really means for the
good of my resume.
Reg Beck
Columneetza Secondary School
Williams Lake, BC
rbeck@cln.etc.bc.ca