Passing The Incomplete Buck

Rob Bernshaw, Columnist

Rob Bernshaw

Let us have some fun with incomplete tasks on our way to the heart of this topic.

How would one feel, if after years of dreaming and desiring our perfect dream home is handed to us on a silver platter. We obtain the keys, along with an envelope marked, "Only to be opened after crossing the threshold of our new dream home".
With excitement, anticipation and bated breath, we gingerly turn the key, open the door, cross the threshold; only to be stopped dead in our tracks, viewing the empty shell of dreams in front of us.

In haste we tear open the envelope to find a report card with the word 'INCOMPLETE' tearing at our heart strings and bringing us down to Earth.
A short note states: "Due to lack of resources, was unable to complete your dream. At this time are unable to provide a suitable time line or deadline for completion of this assignment."


Here is another scenario to consider: We purchase a state of the art
computer, with all the bells and whistles available today. We take the computer home, or to work, open the box, to find a report card taped to the top of the computer case.  We open the report card to find emblazoned in bold type; 'INCOMPLETE'.  Below this bold type is a comment: "Due to lack of resources, there is no power supply to operate your new computer. At this time we are unable to provide sufficient information as to when or if we will be able to provide the power supply, that is critical for efficient and effective operation of your new computer"

The above two assignments  were provided with a politically correct 'INCOMPLETE', even though both assignments should have been given a big factual 'ZERO', that would have accurately portrayed both situations described. The products provided in the scenarios above had no substance and were therefore ineffectual at meeting our needs.

We have now arrived at the heart of the matter at hand, and that is, what is effective education?

Students in Alberta public and separate schools are entitled to the knowledge, tools and skills, that would provide them with the, power and resources, to help them operate efficiently and productively in the real world, outside of the brick and mortar walls of school.

With report cards that read 'INCOMPLETE' the students will graduate, with most of them, but empty shells lacking the power and ability to complete tasks set before them, due to a politically correct marking system, currently in place at the Ross Sheppard High School in Edmonton.

Are there other schools in the Alberta School System that have the same policy in effect?

Have schools become assembly lines to push out product no matter what the quality?

With that being said this writer would like to commend a valiant Alberta Hero that is shining the light for all to see, amidst the possibility of losing his status as an Educator in the Alberta School System.

Congratulations and kudos goes out to a courageous Albertan and caring educator, by the name of Lynden Dorval, a physics teacher from Ross Sheppard High School in Edmonton. With 35 years experience, of dedicated and caring service to students in their search for excellence, Lynden Dorval has stood up to be counted with all heroes of the day? Rather than succumb to the feel good policy that has been enacted of allowing students to get away without consequences of doing nothing; Lynden Dorval has stood up for the better good.

This courageous teacher has kept firm in his stance that the 'NO ZERO' policy, is not beneficial for the overall success of students, that will soon graduate into the real world of completed assignments and assigned tasks.

Will school be out for summer or permanently, in the case of Alberta Educator Lynden Dorval and the current 'NO ZERO' policy that is in effect?

Let us hope that reason will prevail and a fair and equitable treatment will be given to this dedicated teacher, that has spent his life making sure that students are treated equitably and fairly throughout his 35 year tenure.

In closing, the current "NO ZERO" policy needs to be scrapped, and grading the students on actual work accomplished needs to be addressed and implemented.

The dream begins with a teacher who believes in you, who tugs and pushes and leads you to the next plateau,  sometimes poking you with a sharp stick called "truth."
 ~ Dan Rather, American journalist