|
|
|
|
|
Protokoll från Skolans Diskussionskväll 01-01-15. RAPPORT FRÅN SKOLANS DISKUSSIONSKVÄLL Meeting Report Johannes Hem och Skola - Parents Meeting held on 15th January 2001.
The meeting began with a short explanation from Richard Smith of the proposed changes to the English profile of the classes at Johannes and the way that entry to the bilingual section will be managed, as proposed by the school management. This information was partly received from Jan Flacke at the last parents meeting held at the school on the 7th December 2000 and at two meeting held between Jan Flacke and myself since that meeting. It was explained that the school management has been advised that they should no longer have a separate queue for the bilingual section at the school and that they intend to replaced this with one single queue for the entire school. This would allow them to fulfil the requirements of the Swedish school laws as they have been advised. In addition, they plan to increase the English in the Swedish classes and promote Johannes as an "English Profile School", so enabling them to offer more places to children applying to Johannes. An example of the proposed procedure for entry into Johannes (from Jan Flacke) was also show to the parents at the meeting. Hem och Skola has received a large number of calls and e-mails concerning these planned changes and the potential effects on the school. This was the reason for holding this meeting. Several have contacted and written to the school authorities, in an effort understand the various rules and regulations, which govern the way a school manages the issues of entry queues etc. Many of these issues are still unclear to many of the parents. Claes Nordenskiöld and Tracy Mitchell-Björkman both explained the contacts they have had with the school authorities and that the school authorities have indicated alternative views as to how the rules can be interpreted. Notably how the school could approach the issue of testing and accepting children who are applying for bilingual education in a bilingual program. Several parents were critical of the school management for not explaining these issues in a clearer way and not being clear as to the motivation behind their decision to change the previous procedures. Other parents were concerned about how the increased English content in the Swedish classes would be implemented, both in terms of the availability of English teachers to do this and the lack of detailed information from the school as to how this would be organised. Several Swedish parents expressed concerns over the level of co-operation and integration between the Swedish and bilingual sections. They wanted to discuss how this could be improved, together with the school management. Other concerns were raised about the effect the increased English Profile at Johannes would have on the bilingual section in the long term. If large numbers of children applied to Johannes, would there be sufficient places remaining to guarantee the long-term future of the bilingual section? Was having a separate queue to the bilingual section, the only way its future can be assured, regardless of the number of children apply to the school as a whole? Several parents expressed concerns that the school management had taken the decision to change the previous procedures without any real reason to do so. The debate continued and several related issues were also discussed. Following suggestions from several parents, it was proposed that the school management be contacted and that a proposal to form a group of parents and representatives from the school should be made. The group should have a balanced amount of English and Swedish parents. This group could then discuss all the issues raised at the meeting, with the aim of finding answers to the questions raised and providing a clear and understandable program for the proposed English Profile at Johannes and the future of the bilingual section. A request was made for parents who were prepared to participate in such a group. 11 people were available for such a group, see attached list. Richard Smith was asked to contact Jan Flacke to explain the decision of the meeting. The parents did not accept the proposals from the school in their current form and that additional discussion on this subject was required with the school management. Recorded by Richard Smith Ordförande
List of parents who are prepared to be part of the proposed group, to meet with the Johannes School Management. Name - Telephone No. - e-mail
|
|
|