To quote Harry Morgan from MASH, AKA Sherman T. Potter, "Stupid rules were meant to be broken."

A little reality check for Paul who defended the termination. According to that video, Dorval broke the no-zero rule. Yet his termination violated numerous rules in the book.

I think the majority would agree that the one who should have been terminated is the principal. And of course this is not the first time that the policies of new rules violates almost every other rule in the book. I know my former job had a rule where instead of assigned breaks, everyone takes their break at the same time to combat people abusing their break privileges.

The punch line was the lunch room was crowded, the cook was becoming overwhelmed, no one was picking up the slack for the orders, plus the policy didn't work at all.

Oh, and a former co-worker got fired because of language used against the one manager, and the same manager was violating numerous other policies when she swore at him. Who should have gotten fired?

Well if Paul's rational was followed in the real world, how many politicians would be working today??
Oh, and speaking about the education minister, is not doing your job breaking a rule??

Having watched the video, I see that, once again, the game of academia shows up. The stupid, but political savvy people run the show and keep enforcing their stupid rules on the intelligent, hard-working majority.

A list needs to be made: Whom is the most likely to get politics out of the classroom, and then go down to the EPSB, which demonstrates it is the least likely to get politics out of the classroom.

Check this website for anybody interested. ENJOY!
http://www.deliberatedumbingdown.com/

If the kids don't do the work they deserve to fail. When they get a job in the REAL WORLD it is expected that they do their job or get fired. I really think this teacher had the students best interest in mind. I think the school and school board are scared to face the parents of these children that got the zero and the parent's anger. Personally if one of my kids got a zero I'd turn around and ask the child and set up a meeting with the teacher.

I would like a job at that school, or better yet school board. I feel if the students cant get a zero for not doing assignments. I should be able to get a paycheck for not doing any work!!!!! They can give zeros either in my opinion.

I just watched this video and I am quite appalled at this school board! I am very very thankful my 8yo daughter will NEVER attend an EPSB school after seeing this. I HOPE Mr. Dorval sues the Board and the Principle for unjust dismissal as this IS unjust. The no zero policy is the most retarded thing that this school board has ever done, and believe me they have done some real stupid things. Including accusing my 7yo stepson of CHEATING because he was doing grade 1 work here that was already covered in Kindergarten while we lived in Cold Lake the year prior. Even with the transcript outlining what he had already learned they insisted he CHEATED at ALL his tests and therefore were going to "hold him back a grade" after we, at the beginning of the year and finding out he covered their Grade 1 curriculum the year prior in Kindergarten, we asked he be moved to grade 2 and were denied immediately, Hence the reason my daughter will now never set foot in one of their schools.

Thank you Mr. Layton for posting the video! I hope every Edmontonian phones the Minister of Education tomorrow and demand he start investigating this issue. As an Edmontonian I will be sure to look at who is sitting on the school board at present and be sure that I don't vote for them come election time. I have two kids in high school - if they don't do the work they don't get the marks - that is life. If I don't work, I don't get paid. All I can say is that I am glad my children don't go to Ross Shepard High School and I have to wonder why the parents of students at Ross Shepard High School have not prrotested the firing of Mr. Dorval. Come on Edmonton, let us stand behind what is right.

I only caught your segment today and I wish I had seen it yesterday to write in. As a fellow teacher, I understand Mr. Dorval's stance on giving zeroes however it misses the point of the profession as it stands today. Teachers are required to teach the assigned curriculum in a manner that provides each student a chance to succeed. Teachers then assesses each student based on observations, evidence and conversations. After that they report their findings(a mark) and provide support for improvement. If a student fails to complete an assignment or doesn't show up, they can't be assessed. No mark can be given because the teacher has no evidence to support a zero(knowing absolutely nothing). In this case an "incomplete" is given and the result stays the same. You can't pass a course/graduate with incompletes. An incomplete is a true reflection of the teacher's assessment. I don't condone student laziness or "breezing by" in classrooms but I do believe in teachers going out of their way to reach each student in personal ways to help them succeed. If one of my students "fails", then I need to look at how I can help them succeed and keep trying until that student is out of my care. I may not reach every student but my job is to continue to try. I don't know Mr. Dorval however I have met many teachers that also support giving zeros and it seems a large majority of this group don't go the extra mile to reach their students, particularly in high schools. Many may think this is bending over backwards to a generation of slackers however the "everybody gets the same lesson" days are over. If your child learned and excelled when taught in a specific manner would you want your child's teacher completely ignoring this? Teachers need to be balanced in their teaching approach to assure all learning styles are addressed on a regular basis. It's just good teaching.

Rick Wormelli on Zeroes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-BWioq7MGo&