“If we only listen to the voices that get heard easily, we may make changes that are for the benefit of the whole education system but don’t do the fundamental thing that education is supposed to do which is to give all children a fairly equitable chance for success” 

 

            The above quote stood out to me because it made me think about the politics of the educational system and the systematic oppression of those parents/students whose voices may be silenced by louder ones. I do agree with the thoughts shared in this video that parents are the best advocates for their children. Unfortunately, I have seen quite a few cases where parents who were not educated in Canada, not familiar with the educational system, and whose first language is not English are unable to voice their opinions or question certain things because of their lack of “power” to make a change. Like Kidder mentions in the video, most of the times the powers that be are “upper-middle class white” parents. This really makes me question why are these the only voices that sometime gets heard? It is because it’s louder? More ability to make change/more powerful? More access? In that case who is the educational system there to serve? Do we value one student over the other because of this? Is it a societal problem and/or systematic problem that have taught us to listen only to the loudest/powerful voices? Is it possible that each student is treated and supported in an equitable way if there are only some voices heard?

 

            I do believe that educators play the biggest role in advocating for all students to be treated in an equitable way in the education system. One of the most important Ethical Standards that teachers can uphold pertaining to equitable treatment of students is trust, which “embodies fairness, openness and honesty,” (The Ethical Standards for The Teaching Profession, OCT). If teachers are not fair, open or honest with parents and students then they are not advocating for all students in an equitable and ethical way. In these cases, teachers are then overlooking the gaps in the system that allows for certain voices to be heard and not others. In essence, no change is made for those students/parents  really need the support and guidance.

 

            Parents, whose voices tend not to be heard, as mentioned above, are ones who are not familiar with the system or have language barriers. In these cases, parents should be educated about the system or can work with a “parent advocate,” who are “people with training in advocacy or may have some special education experience, possibly gained as an advocate for their own children” (Shared Solutions, p.27).

            Below are a few points taken from Shared Solutions on how advocacy works best for students when the parent is the advocate and I do believe that teachers/administrators plays the biggest role in making a positive change when it comes to whose voices are heard and who we tend to silence because of the noise.

-          has proven relationship/communication skills and/or an existing positive working relationship with educators

-          is familiar with how the […] education programs and services are designed and provided

-          is familiar with […] education policy and legislature

-          is familiar with the school system in which the student is registered. (p.27)

 

References:

Shared Solution

“Ethical Standard for the Teaching Profession, OCT. Wed.