May 1, 2015
The courts will not deliver smaller class sizes to B.C.
Tara Ehrcke
The recent B.C. Court of Appeal ruling against teachers is a disappointment, but we should not rely on the courts to deliver smaller classes. They never will.
Tara Ehrcke
Tara Ehrcke is a teacher, education blogger and activist living in Victoria, British Columbia. She has been an executive member of the Greater Victoria Teachers' Association for over a decade, serving as president and now as local bargaining chair. She has also been active with the British Columbia Teachers' Federation as a member of the provincial bargaining team, the professional issues advisory committee and currently as a member of the Teacher Newsmagazine editorial committee. She writes regularly for local media and in education and labour publications including Our Schools, Our Selves, Our Times, Teacher Newsmagazine, and rankandfile.ca. Staffroom Confidential covers education issues in B.C., Canada and the world with a critical perspective of a classroom teacher and rank-and-file union activist. Follow her on Twitter @TaraEhrcke.
Apr 11, 2015
Solidarity key to protecting public education in British Columbia
Tara Ehrcke
Why parents, students and teachers will rally to protect public education in the face of funding cuts and Bill 11.
Mar 27, 2015
B.C. government seeks to privatize and control teacher professional development
Tara Ehrcke
With newly introduced Bill 11, the B.C. government takes control of teacher professional development, further undermining the profession itself and the autonomy of teachers.
Feb 24, 2015
B.C. budget favours private schools over public education
Tara Ehrcke
As with other areas of the B.C. budget, 2015 will favour the rich with increases for private schools while imposing spending cuts to public schools.
Feb 20, 2015
B.C. budget a blow to public education
Tara Ehrcke
As with other areas of the B.C. budget, 2015 will favour the rich with increases for private schools while imposing spending cuts to public schools.
Feb 12, 2015
The courts have acknowledged the right to strike: Now it's time to strike
Tara Ehrcke
The recent Supreme Court of Canada decision acknowledging the right to strike is a win for workers. But we will only benefit from this decision if we actually use this right.
Jan 30, 2015
What can Canada learn from Syriza?
Tara Ehrcke
The victory of the anti-austerity Syriza in Greece should get progressive Canadians thinking about a genuine left alternative.
Jan 29, 2015
What could a Canadian Syriza do?
Tara Ehrcke
With the victory of the anti-austerity Syriza in Greece, it is time to think about building a genuine left alternative here at home.
Jan 13, 2015
B.C.'s standardized testing is a pillar of privatization
Tara Ehrcke
It's FSA season again for the students of B.C. But these tests aren't just a waste of time. They are undermining the 'public' in public education.
Jun 28, 2014
British Columbia teachers -- let's keep our eyes on the prize
Tara Ehrcke
The B.C. government is ignoring Supreme Court rulings telling it to negotiate in good faith with teachers, including on class sizes. Instead, the strike it has provoked risks being drawn out.
