Proper testing the key to improving poor educational results of Atlantic Canadians
Study affirms validity of student testing in measuring progress and holding schools accountable for results
Standardized exams: the test of a good school
New Brunswick recently released school-by-school test results for core curriculum areas. But parents and students in Nova Scotia, Newfoundland & Labrador, and Prince Edward Island get no such regular reporting of objective test-based information on the quality of their schools. In this column AIMS President, Brian Lee Crowley, says it is time to ask why not. Crowley demonstrates that the common criticisms about standardised tests do not stand up to critical evaluation. Where the responses of students are assessed in an objective manner and the items on the test are designed to measure the core objectives of a course in a way that is consistent and fair for all students in the province, then the information collected can provide a powerful tool for accountability and improved system management. That's good for parents, teachers, employers, post-secondary institutions and, above all, students. Isn't that what the schools are supposed to be about? Publication: CHH, February 27, 2002
Those who control the gold, rule: Putting parents in charge of education
According to this Commentary by AIMS author Ken Boessenkool, a growing body of evidence shows that independent and home schools perform much better than public schools, even when you adjust for socio-economic factors such as education of parents and income. The goal in public education ought to be, then, to try and increase parental involvement in our public schools. Proposals exist to do just that, but many of them are problematic.
School Choice, AIMS and the Wall Street Journal
On August 9 the Wall Street Journal published a piece by Canadian journalist and publisher Michael Taube about the value of competition and school choice for the public education system. Taube cites AIMS President Brian Lee Crowley’s comments that friendly competition between Canada’s public and private schools can only help the education marketplace and create more efficient institutions. In this context Taube discusses how Ontario and, in fact, Canada has become a leader in this innovative policy area. He applauds the Harris government for introducing tuition tax credits for parents sending their children to private school.
Reforming Public Education in Canada
There are three approaches to achieving an effective education system. The traditional approach involves centralized regulation and micro-management. The spending approach involves increasing spending to lower class size and raise teacher salaries. In contrast to these unsuccessful methods is the reformist approach, which involves decentralizing control of the product to the school level, rewarding teacher performance and holding principals responsible for outcomes. The reformist model is on the ascendancy on both the right and the left in the United States. In this article, Rod Clifton, Professor of Sociology of Education at St. John’s College, University of Manitoba, argues that Canada can keep good teachers and principals by considering the new approach as well.
Proposed repeal of EI reforms endangers significant progress by young Atlantic Canadians in getting education and finding jobs
Employment Insurance reform encouraged education
Do school boards add value to education?
Do we really need school boards? That's the question AIMS President Brian Lee Crowley asks in the wake of the Nova Scotia government's attempt to cut education spending. Experience elsewhere suggests that they can be eliminated, while improving school performance, accountability and local autonomy. And it saves money to boot! Publication: CHH, May 10, 2000.
Reforming the Universities
Under a competitive regime, the marketplace itself will determine an efficient outcome for the post-secondary education system in Canada.
Parents should control schools, not just picket and protest
Don Cayo on developments throughout Atlantic canada between dissatisfied parents and local school boards.
Canada’s limited policy agenda
Fred McMahon looks at President Clinton's State of the Union speech and its implications for education reform.