Tuesday, October 19, 2010

ELECT MURPHY BROWNE ON OCTOBER 25, 2010

Welcome to my campaign blog! I am a public school Trustee candidate for Ward 14 in the Toronto municipal elections. I made the decision to become a candidate for public school Trustee because I believe that I have the background and experience to advocate for parents, students and residents of Ward 14 at the Toronto District School Board.

I have been involved as an advocate for parents and students at the former Toronto Board of Education and at the Toronto District School Board for more than 20 years. During the amalgamation and “common sense revolution” that saw the public education system of Ontario deteriorate to where we were in danger of having a two tier education system. I was one of several activists who resisted the Harris government’s attempt to establish a voucher system that would have diverted resources and students away from the public school system. Resistance by our groups of activists to the Harris Tory government’s many misguided policies including a new funding formula which stripped local education boards of their taxation powers gave rise to organizations like People for Education, Parent Community Network and Campaign for Public Education.

I was co-chair of Parent Community Network and Campaign for Public Education and among other things advocated for reform of the provincial funding formula to recognize the real costs of equitable quality public education.

As trustee I will advocate for the dismantling of the standardized student tests. The standardized student tests that were introduced as part of “the common sense revolution” make no sense because it forces educators to teach children to pass tests when they should be teaching children to think critically, love learning and to become life long learners.

I am asking that you vote for me on October 25 when you go to the polls.

Email: votemurphybrowne@gmail.com

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