I got into this discussion a little late, but it's all relevant for me as my daughter was one of the kids in Lucas' class whose project was finished on time and lost, and I've spent a lot of time lately questioning the public education system.

Regarding this kind of project: I have been doing research for over 20 years now, and I still compose posters multiple times a year. So, for some careers (notably science) the art of creating a poster may not be a useless one. BUT, they aren't being taught HOW to compose a decent one, how to lay it out in a way that leads the reader through the material, or is pleasing to the eye, they aren't taught how to do good research and present their work well. In many ways, I think a well executed (please emphasize well executed!) poster project can teach many skills including language arts, graphic arts, the topic subject (say health or science or social studies), application of available technologies, research skills... So often though, I see what I consider shoddy attempts rewarded with great marks because everything gets a great mark these days. Also, the teachers get the kids to do so many of these things that they generate quantity rather than quality.

Regarding the lost aspect of the projects. Come on, teachers. Get it together! My daughter didn't think the teacher threw out the projects, but a simple conversation between the teachers:"Those 5 groups left their projects in my class and they have disappeared, perhaps they can be exempt" would suffice. This is a silly waste of the kids time, repeating the work.

Regarding schooling, unschooling, homeschooling, not schooling... I have considered many possibilities myself for my kids. Unschooling makes me nervous because I actually think that there should be a curriculum followed. I think that there are certain things a person ought to learn, or at least be exposed to before leaving the school system/home. I am not confident that the NB public system is going to provide the education I would like my kids to get. How to get around this I haven't figured out yet. Combination or school and home enrichment? I don't know. Always thinking on it.

Regarding older teachers. I couldn't disagree more! Sackville has suffered as our older teachers have become increasingly pissed off by the system, the principal, the students... and have left the system early. I have been unimpressed by the recent graduates I have seen first hand. Some of the older teachers aren't great, but a lot are. I also think that their use of technology is not what I judge them by, but on how they are able to spark my child's interest and help them produce good work or gain new understanding. High tech or low, no matter.

Regarding Paul in comment #5: Are we talking about the same NB???? While I have witnessed some good aspects of the the system, overall I come away unimpressed to say the least. At the university level, our NB high school grads are struggling and ill educated.