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Teachers object to mandatory written tests for competency By DENNIS SMITH Special to The Champion Written tests shouldn't be used to determine teacher competency, says the president of Halton's Catholic secondary teachers unit. be Pece supports bis provincial associa- tion's unanimous recommendation for its trachers to refuse Provincially-mandated written tests. "Assessing competency invoives knowi- edge of curriculum and material plus tbe rapport and reiationsbip witb the students. A written test couid neyer evaluate this," be said. "Tbe more important aspect of teacbing is the abîiity so convey tbe mes- sage to students." Laat week, neariy 600 delegates to tbe Ontario Engiisb Catboiic Teacbers' Association generai meeting voted against mandatory written competency tests for recertifying tesebera. The testing is slated for lune. Pece said tbe Courge of Teacbers aiready deals wisb teacber competency and scbooi boards bave performance reviews and in-cîsas reviews of teacbers. Some areas of the United States bave scrapped written tests because teacbers bad 98 per cent paasing rates, noted Mr. Pece. Teacbrrs bave one or more university degreex snd probably won's find a written test in tbeir expertise area to be tougb, be said. "The govemment bas brougbs in sec- ondary sebool reform and is faat-tracking many ebanges in education," said Mr. Pece. "To add a written test now, tbere would nos be enougb time to prepare for He said generaiiy teacbing unit membera be bas spoken witb feri tbe written test isn't appropriate. Mr. Pece noted tbe Courge of Tearbera is aiso oppoard to tbe written tests for tracbera. Ministry of Education spokesperson David Ross confirmed tests will be miro- duced in lune. "But there are no specifics yet,' he said. "We are stili conducting research." He said Ontarjo has excellent teachers and ministry officiais are aware of teacher trsting and recertification proceduoes in tbr Unitrd States. "Wr plan to develop madr-in-Ontsrio testing to ensure we bave high-quality teachers," said Mr. Ross. He said it hasn't bren decided if ail grade schooi trachers wîil be testrd or how Catboic trachers wili be rncouragrd to take trsts. "Wr're notat that bridge yrt." Two sides squabbling from NE on page ¶ keeping tbe landa under tbe NEP tbrougb- out tbe bearing. But Mr. O'Ksne attempted 50 sbow Friday tbat Ms Piaunt bad bren misleading in a numbrr of written reports so tbe NEC, wbicb may bave belped sway its position on tbe issue. He trird to sbow tbe reporta were riddled wisb misinformation, sucb aa a reference so bis clirnt's lands as bing part of the escarprarot tor. Wben sbe acknowledged tbe mistake, Mr. O'Kane jibed "today is Marcb 17, 2000, and it occura to you today tIsas tbis is flot accurate?" Ms Plaunt responded by noting sbere are several references througbout ber testimo- ny and written reporta tIsas Mr. Curcuruto's property isn't part of tbe eacarpment toe. But Mr. O'Kane argurd tbat tbe contra- dictions in ber report may bave bren con- fusing to NEC membera. The commission was clear on sbe issue wben it sook its vote on tbe applicant' s iands. assured Ms Plaunt. Tbe errors in Ms Piaunt's reports werr frequentiy referred so by Mr. OKane as sioppinese, ratber sbsn a deliberate inten- tion to misiead. Tbat eventuaily prompted NEC lawyer Marianne Orr to inteiject. 'Tbe aira of tbis questioning gors to she credibility of Ms Plaunt. 5 tbink Mr. OKane is overdoing An unapologetir Mr. O'Kane replird, "I don't intend to stop overdoing it." THE POTENTIAL AMALGAMATION 0F FLAMBOROUGH INTO HALTON REGION HALTON REGION'STECHNICAL ANALYSIS Last week, Halton Region released Its Technical Analysis and Discussion Paperon the implIcations 0f a potential amalgamation 0f East Flamborough into the Reglon of Halton. This report does flot take a posItion for or against the amalgamation. There wsll be a second report that makes recommendations for Regonal Council to consider. On Thursday, March 23"' ut 7:30 p.m., the Region is hostung a Public Me.tlng to present the results 0f the analysis, to answer questions and to hear your views about the Flamborough proposaI. On Tussday, Mareh 28"' t 8:00 p.m. there wlll be a Speclal MeetIng cf Halten Reglenal Ceuncîl to deoide whether to support the amalgamation 0f East Flamborough Into Halton. The entire technical report cen be vlewecl on Halton's web site at www.realcn.halten.en.c8, These charts show me changes to municipal taxes for both Halton and East Flamborough residents and businesses If the amalgamation occurs: Financlal lm on Halten Realden & Duaineasea Chau elYear [Realdential (OVA 185,000) I +$6 I 0.2% commerclsi (OVA 200.000) 493 1.3% industrial 0VA200000 36 0.3% Fînanclal lm mot on Hast Flamborou h Residmnts & Busînesses I Chanoe/Year Low Hih urba I 4462 16% I +$790 27% j merdai CVA200000 -$2844 26% -$3169 28% Industriai f CVA 200,000) 42,706 17% *S3.058 20% Notes: * TIses. are estampies only. Actual tarses seul vary based on tlu current Value Assesamerit (CVA> for lrdMduai properiles. * Data based on sasumption tIsaS East Flamborotsgh's sesate management, water/wastewater and asaetAlabtllty cossa sf11 b. pald for by Esat Flamborough resldents, rather than shareci if alton-selde. * The 10w numbera arn baud on Fiamborough's calculatians on tIse aaset/tlabilhiy cossa. and tIse hîgIs numbers are the l'fsmttonTransftlan Boards calcuistians. There are a number 0f other issues and policies that also must be considered. For example, what happens to the 9-1-1 service? How will Flamborough residents be represented on Regional Council? Arud, what If me Province transfers Highway #6 to Halton Region? Te expreSS ycur vleWS on the~ md any ether Issues, plan te attend the PublIc MeetIng on Mardi 23~ andlor the Speclal Reglonal Councîl MeetIng on March 28"'. Both meetings will be held at the Halton Regional Centre at 1151 Bronte Rd. in Oakville. For further information, please oeIl me Regional Clerk's Office et (905) 825-6225. For local lnqulrleS Alderahot (905) 639-4540 Actor' (519) 853-0501 GeOrgetown (905) 878-8113 The CanadIen ChampIon, Tueaday, March 21.2000-7 sectionin this Friday's - w -