Check out "Facts in Education"

Some of the leading researchers in Canada, including Michael Fullan, Ben Levin, Penny Milton and Charles Ungerleider have created a blogspot entitled "Facts in Education" which: "aims to correct factual errors in education that appear in various news media sources across Canada. The purpose of this project is not to critique the article or the news outlet, but simply to inform you of the real facts in education as supported by empirical evidence."

Their latest post brings research syntheses into the question of whether or not smaller class sizes make a difference, with the conclusion from a number of meta-analyses and specific research projects being that in the younger years smaller is better. However, this is only true if if you keep students in smaller classes for longer periods of time (perhaps K-3 as we do in B.C.) and have the right programs being taught by the right teachers supported by the right interventions for students who struggle.

The need for this leading think-tank to bring these comments to the fore through their blog came from Malcolm Gladwell making the front page with his assertion that class size "is the biggest dead end in the world", arguing that it is only and all about quality of teaching and teachers. His speech, given to a Liberal think-session entitled Imagining Ontario's Future was noteworthy in that it flew in the face of both research and the Ontario government's plans. It also hit the media, giving rise the the Facts group publishing its response as noted above.

May-June Newsletter: Budget, Secondary Futures

I have posted my May-June 2010 newsletter on our district website. Click here to go directly to my newsletter or here to go the main website. In my newsletter and on our website you will find updates on the Saanich School District budget for 2010/11. In a nutshell, the news is not good on the budget front. Our Board had to make reductions totaling 5% of the budget, after reducing for enrolment decline, in order to pass a balanced budget as is required by law. We remain concerned in Saanich about the levels of provincial funding being far below the levels needed to even maintain, let alone enhance, our programs and services.

That said, we are proud of what we do in Saanich. We remain fully optimistic that public schools will continue to serve children, families and communities in ways that are vibrant, engaging and in keeping with the 21st century. Diversity and excellence are alive and well, and we invite anyone to see it "live" by contacting a neighbourhood school and connecting with the principal or vice-principal to learn more.

Alongside all that is going on in schools, we have a significant activity occurring at the district level as well. As superintendent I have taken a "21st Century Learning" presentation to our secondary schools and shared it with the board and district partners. I will be using it as a conversation starter as well at a student symposium scheduled for May 27th. Our quest is to provoke dialogue around the extent to which secondary education of today is consistent with the ideals, dreams and visions that are evolving around the world in relation to engaged learning in this age of technology and global connections. We are also interested in influencing government in relation to its throne speech commitment to "modernize the education system for the 21st century."

Comments are welcome, as always, on any of these topics. And . . . how about that new web site? It is more than just better looking; it has running in behind it a much more modern and robust "web 3.0" foundation. More interactive, more current, and more dynamic - just what we need for our tech-savvy readers.

Go Habs.