So there are two education related things that are bouncing around in my head that I do need to write about, but haven't found time for yet.
1) The education sections of President Obama's speech on Tuesday.
2) The report released by EPI Canada this week.
I will have to come back to each, but suffice it to say I have opinions. Opinions, dammit!
Friday, February 27, 2009
The Good Kind of Journalists
There are days when journalists drive me crazy with lazy analysis, even lazier reading, dumb, hackneyed commentaries and an inexplicable hatred of all things modern and bloggy (bitter old sports journalists populate this category almost exclusively). So I have a lot of time for writers like Wells and Coyne, who even when I don't agree with them at least are able to string together a coherent reading (wait...are at least able to demonstrate comprehension of things they've read) of the situations, events, phenomena and people they're writing about and, miracles, even things that are not directly connected, but play on the things they write about.
But, I also have time for journalists like Aaron Wherry (it only seems like I'm pimping all staff writers of MacLean's, I swear...I really do think that their education section sucks *sigh*) who doesn't tend toward the high level, meta-analysis, big picture stuff. You know why I like journalists like him? Because he just hands over the rope and let's people go to town.
But, I also have time for journalists like Aaron Wherry (it only seems like I'm pimping all staff writers of MacLean's, I swear...I really do think that their education section sucks *sigh*) who doesn't tend toward the high level, meta-analysis, big picture stuff. You know why I like journalists like him? Because he just hands over the rope and let's people go to town.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
Gov't Calls Bulls*#t on Unis and Colleges, Then Gives In
It's not often that you see a government minister tell the truth quite as obviously as Jason Kenney did yesterday. Kenney, the Immigration Minister, said that Canada's post-secondary institutions count on international students as a "source of revenue." Yes, yes they do. International students are typically charged twice the level of tuition of a Canadian student (loosely, Canadian born or Canadian citizen). Over the last number of years Canadian institutions have started recruiting heavily overseas, even going so far as opening sattelite campuses on foreign shores. The AUCC as recently as its 2008 federal budget consultation submission ranked federally-funded scholarships for international students ahead of dealing with the impending end of the Millennium Scholarship Foundation's need-based bursaries for Canadian students (although they claim their numbered list of recommendations wasn't ranked, in so far as numbered lists cannot be ranked). So, that someone called them on their motivations for admitting more international students was ramarkable.
Of course, Kenney was announcing that the Conservative government was prepared to "substantially increase" the number of visas they issue to international students who want to study here. So, take it for what it's worth.
At the risk of coming across all xenophobic, let me say this: I believe that international students breathe life into a campus. Having gone to a small university where a small number of international students were an increasingly large part of the campus community I believe I was enriched by my exchanges with people from around the globe (especially studying international relations). But let's not be blind on this question. And let's certainly insist that as more international students are brought to Canadian campuses the support they need to succeed, and perhaps become a lasting part of the Canadian social fabric, are in place at the schools they attend. This, at least, should be a part of the bargain for charging them so much more than anyone else from home and native land.
Lastly, let's not forget that increasing international student enrollments should not and cannot be a solution to problems we have getting our own young people the education they need. You're still about twice as likely to go to university if you come from a family in the top two fifths of income than in the bottom fifth in Canada (slightly less than twice as likely for college). You're much much more likely to go to university (maybe only much more likely for college) if you're white than if you're from a First Nation band, if you're Inuit or Metis. These things can't be ignored while we recruit students from among the wealthiest of other nations around the globe.
*End of rant*
(H/T the indispensable Dale Kirby)
Of course, Kenney was announcing that the Conservative government was prepared to "substantially increase" the number of visas they issue to international students who want to study here. So, take it for what it's worth.
At the risk of coming across all xenophobic, let me say this: I believe that international students breathe life into a campus. Having gone to a small university where a small number of international students were an increasingly large part of the campus community I believe I was enriched by my exchanges with people from around the globe (especially studying international relations). But let's not be blind on this question. And let's certainly insist that as more international students are brought to Canadian campuses the support they need to succeed, and perhaps become a lasting part of the Canadian social fabric, are in place at the schools they attend. This, at least, should be a part of the bargain for charging them so much more than anyone else from home and native land.
Lastly, let's not forget that increasing international student enrollments should not and cannot be a solution to problems we have getting our own young people the education they need. You're still about twice as likely to go to university if you come from a family in the top two fifths of income than in the bottom fifth in Canada (slightly less than twice as likely for college). You're much much more likely to go to university (maybe only much more likely for college) if you're white than if you're from a First Nation band, if you're Inuit or Metis. These things can't be ignored while we recruit students from among the wealthiest of other nations around the globe.
*End of rant*
(H/T the indispensable Dale Kirby)
Friday, February 13, 2009
"SlumCanine" Thousandaire
Having just returned from three weeks in India I should write a real post about my adventures while there, and I will, but two nights ago I saw Slumdog Millionaire and I want to make some comments about that.
1. I loved it as a film. Great story, incredibly filmed, well paced, well acted - it would be great if most of the movies we are exposed to were this good. Sadly all I can say is that I paid money to see both Street Fighter and Cuthroat Island in theater. Those were kind of my own fault.
2. Some of the troubling aspects are certainly visible in any Indian city. Still, Danny Boyle's assertion that "slumdog" is an allusion to "underdog" rings pretty hollow upon viewing. Perhaps he didn't want to court controversy by pointing out that many Indians say worse about the poor over there (in fairness, most are entirely compassionate, if helpless).
3. Having downloaded the soundtrack immediately after the movie ended (praise be to Jobs) I predict a Slumdog Millionaire musical on stage in London or New York within two years.
4. Strictly speaking Jamal won about $500K (CDN). I realize that it was $20m rupeeees, but I still say he was screwed.
5. The actor who played adult Salim looks remarkably like Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo. It was bothering me throughout the movie, but that was my conclusion upon seeing some of the Celts-Mavs game last night.
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