EDUCATION REFORM IN CANADA
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When asked in a 1993 CIPO poll if they felt "students in Canada [were] receiving the
education they need in order to compete in the future," the majority of citizens said
"No." This page brings together many of the most promising ideas and efforts to
improve the education of Canadian children. Books of Interest  The State of Education In Canada Thomas T. Schweitzer (Montreal: Institute for Research on Public Policy, 1995). "How good are Canadian schools? What measurements should we use to evaluate the state of Canadian education? In this closely argued and carefully substantiated essay, noted specialist Tom Schweitzer, former Senior Economist at the Economic Council of Canada, has pulled together the relevant data to reflect where we stand, not only in comparison to other countries but province to province. Schweitzer looks at the crucial elements in any educational system, ranging from the family environment to the quality of teaching to the effectiveness of school bureaucracy. he stresses the importance of education in creating a well-trained and efficient workforce and suggests that a high level of numeracy and literacy generates significant income premiums for Canadian workers." --From the book jacket. Two responses to Schweitzer's conclusions are also included, by Robert Crocker, Associate Deputy Minister of Education Newfoundland, and Geraldine Gilliss, a Director at the Canadian Teachers' Federation.  Educational Choice: Necessary but not Sufficient Bruce W. Wilkinson (Montreal: Institute for Research on Public Policy, 1994). "In this, the third volume in IRPP's series on education, Professor Bruce Wilkinson provides a fresh look at the issue of choice. Although much has been written about school choice in the US, few have developed the topic in the context of Candadian institutions. Wilkinson reviews the arguments for and against the introduction of greater choice in Canadian schools, and concludes that it would lead to greater equity, efficiency and accountability in the Canadian educational system." --From the book jacket. As in other IRPP books, the author's thesis is debated by two critical reviewers. In this case, Jim Head, president of the Ontario Teachers' Federation, and economist Michael Krashinsky take issue with Wilkinson's findings.  Busting
Bureaucracy to Reclaim Our Schools Stephen B. Lawton (Montreal: Institute for Research on Public Policy, 1995). "Is bureaucracy strangling our schools? Many parents believe so, in light of the costs, complexity and rigidity of Canada's educational system. Schools seem to be performing their tasks--educating our children--poorly as high levels of illiteracy, innumeracy and dropping out testify. In his closely argued and prescriptive analysis of Canada's educational ills, Stephen Lawton lays the blame firmly on the bureaucratization of schools and posits a compelling solution. The system needs more rigorous supervision by parents, an approach the Charter School can deliver. A Charter School is one in which groups of parents sign a contract directly with the individuals responsible for teaching their children. Parental involvement, Lawton argues, permits a greater responsiveness, by both teachers and schools, to the concerns of parents and to the needs of children." --From the book jacket. Responses to Lawton's proposal are provided by Joseph Freedman, a Charter School activist, and Heather-Jane Robertson, a staunch critic of market-oriented educational reforms. Useful Websites The Society for the Advancement of Excellence in Education The SAEE is a non-profit institution that "provides non-partisan education research and information to policy-makers, education partners and the public." It seeks to "encourage higher performance throughout Canada’s public education system." SAEE offices are located in Kelowna, British Columbia. Teachers for Excellence "Teachers for Excellence is a professional association founded in 1989 to promote higher performance in the Canadian public school system. We distribute a quarterly newsletter on education change and quality issues. We organize education conferences and workshops, publish position papers for government and policy-makers, and examine international research and education trends. We serve parent groups, the business community and reform-minded educators across Canada. Teachers for Excellence is a registered non-profit society with memberships available to educators and the public." --From the website Effective
Education Organization
for Quality Education The Parent
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