Honey, I Coddled the Kids
Newfoundland and Labrador's Telegram cited AIMS Fellow in Common Sense Education Michael Zwaagstra's "Zero Support for No-Zero Policies" in an article about education and school policies.
Forgo Failed Education Fads
AIMS Fellow in Common Sense Education Michael Zwaagstra argues that evidence-based measures are the key to success in Nova Scotia's education system, as opposed to relying on fads.
Repeaters and Public Schooling in New Brunswick
AIMS Fellow in Common Sense Education Michael Zwaagstra discusses public schooling in New Brunswick and whether lower failure rates is a positive development.
Don’t Expect Government to Win the War on Obesity
AIMS Senior Fellow in Urban Policy Patrick Luciani analyzes with the government is unfit to win the war on obesity, arguing, "If there's anything to be learned, it's that weight is a deeply personal challenge that can only be solved one person at a time, and only when we as individuals come to the conclusion that we've had enough."
Allowing Union to Handle Teacher Discipline Has Negative Effect on Professional Standards: Report
Director of Schoolhouse Consulting Paul Bennett and Former Member of the Governing Council of the Ontario College of Teachers Karen Mitchell discuss how establishing and maintaining professional standards has been delegated to the provincial teachers' unions and federations, resulting in loose and ineffective standards that ensure "spotless records." National Post featured the report online.
Teacher Oversight Body For The Birds
Director of Schoolhouse Consulting Paul Bennett argues that Nova Scotia's ability to regulate teacher conduct is weak and suggests that developing an arms-length regulatory body is the solution.
Students Debate on Whether Education is a Right
AIMS Student Fellow Michael Sullivan participated in a debate about education at Memorial University.
Teaching Rules ‘Woefully Inadequate’ in Nova Scotia, Report Says
Director of Schoolhouse Consulting Paul Bennett and Former Member of the Governing Council of the Ontario College of Teachers Karen Mitchell discuss how establishing and maintaining professional standards has been delegated to the provincial teachers' unions and federations, resulting in loose and ineffective standards that ensure "spotless records." CBC and the Chronicle Herald covered the report.
Teachers Shouldn’t be Disciplined by NSTU, Report
Director of Schoolhouse Consulting Paul Bennett and Former Member of the Governing Council of the Ontario College of Teachers Karen Mitchell discuss how establishing and maintaining professional standards has been delegated to the provincial teachers' unions and federations, resulting in loose and ineffective standards that ensure "spotless records." CBC Information Morning interviewed Paul about the piece.
Press Release: Loose Professional Standards for Teachers Harm Students and Taxpayers
HALIFAX, NS: Certifying teachers and regulating the teaching profession has emerged as a critical policy issue. A research paper published today by AIMS shows that the current system in Nova Scotia and several other Canadian provinces is characterized by an absence of adequate regulatory oversight and feeble enforcement of teaching standards. The study calls for [...]