The Charter for Public Education Network

Beginnings

Communities in Action

The Charter was intitally sponsored by the BC Teachers' Federation and an independent panel made up of members of the community, all of whom are committed to public education, was chosen to make it happen. (Pictured here surrounded by student art work from an East Vancouver public hearing: L-R, David Chudnovsky, Kathy Whittam, Rev. Margaret Marquardt, Dr. John Moss, and George Watts)

During the five months from October 2002 until February 2003, the panel members visited some 42 communities, listened to over 620 formal presentations and held discussions with more than 1,500 participants.

The result was a consensus about the important values and principles that British Columbians share regarding public education. This became the Charter for Public Education now found on this site. Further background information is found within the Introduction chapter of our full report.

On March 10th 2004, one year after the release of the Charter, the process evolved into the next level and the inaugural membership meeting for the Charter for Public Education Network was held at the Vancouver School Board. At this meeting a provincial interim Board of Directors was apponted, and a Steering committee was formed to help the Network become established in our first year. Within the first week of forming the organization the Network had over 200 new members from around the province!

The Charter for Public Education Network encourages dialogue between rural communities and our urban centers. In this way, we hope to enact the principles of participatory democracy by getting individuals involved in and outside of their communities. Please feel free to contact us with any comments or questions.

To learn more about the breadth of issues affecting public education in your community, and to find out what parents, teachers, students, government and others are up to, see the Provincial Partners in Public Education links in our Resources section.

Click on BC and see how the individuals from many communities we visited contributed to the creation of the Charter and the Charter Report. Much gratitude to all those who shared their passion, fears, hopes and dreams for public education, and to all of you who continue to work towards bringing the Charter principles to life for all learners.