REPORTS & BRIEFS
This section provides reviews of research and policy issues on topics of interest to both the public and the profession.
One-to-One Computing – A Compelling Classroom-Change Intervention
A Review of New Brunswick's Dedicated Notebook Research Project
CEA was commissioned by Hewlett-Packard Canada to create a case study describing the development, implementation and outcomes of New Brunswick's Dedicated Notebook Research Project. In addition to high levels of satisfaction with the notebook project among teachers, students, and administrators, participants also reported increased student engagement and improved quality of work—particularly among students with special needs. The case study also identifies critical success factors and lessons learned, which will be of interest to districts and governments considering similar initiatives.
One-to-One Computing – A Compelling Classroom-Change Intervention (PDF, 581 KB, 12 pages)
One-to-One Computing – A Compelling Classroom-Change Intervention - Executive Summary (PDF, 60 KB, 3 pages)
Class Size Reduction: What the Literature Suggests About what Works
The literature review, Class Size Reduction: What the Literature Suggests About what Works (PDF) is now available with a stand alone Executive Summary (PDF). This review includes analyses of over eighty reports and articles from a variety of Canadian and international sources, along with five in-depth descriptions of large-scale class size reduction initiatives. It was conducted as part of a CEA research study on The Effects of the Ontario Primary Class Size Reduction Policy. The final report, with findings and implications, will be released early in 2009.
Class Size Reduction: What the Literature Suggests About what Works (PDF, 750 KB, 36 pages)
Class Size Reduction: What the Literature Suggests About what Works - Executive Summary (PDF, 50 KB, 2 pages)
Education Research Roundup 2008 - CEA's Year-End Review
This first annual Education Research Roundup presents a year-end review of education research that has been featured on the CEA website and in Bulletin. It summarizes, by theme, notable reports, briefs, and studies, identifying trends and highlighting areas of consensus, tension, and discrepancy. We trust you will find it useful for your work, and encourage you to share it with colleagues.
Education Research Roundup 2008 - CEA's Year-End Review
Public Education in Canada: Facts, Trends and Attitudes
With this report, CEA provides a context for rethinking schools to drive dialogue and critical thinking about the challenges we face in educating all students to take their place in a world of dynamic social, technological and economic change.
Key findings from CEA’s Public Attitudes Toward Education Survey are contained in this report. This is CEA’s fourth such survey and is based on the opinions of over 2,400 Canadians collected between January and May 2007. Commentaries from educational leaders based on these survey results help provide a context to issues such as student assessment, confidence in school systems, and educational change.
Public Education in Canada: Facts, Trends and Attitudes
Parents' Participation in School Improvement Processes
Kenneth Leithwood, Charryn McElheron-Hopkins (OISE/UT) (2004)
This is a project of the former Education Improvement Commission in Ontario that provided help to ten project schools in engaging parents in school improvement planning. From data collected in the project schools, the research team builds models of parent involvement in school improvement and tests them through a large survey, thus assessing the impact of this program.
Parents' Participation in School Improvement Processes (PDF - 1004 kb)
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Trends in the Integration of ICT and Learning In K-12 Systems
Penny Milton, Canadian Education Association (2003)
This brief paper describes aspects of the current context of education policy in Canada, selected trends in the integration of information and communications technologies (ICT) for learning in the kindergarten to grade 12 education systems and offers observations about emerging visions of effective ICT integration. The ideas presented represent a synthesis of information reviewed in research reports, policy papers, selected seminars and surveys. A bibliography of sources is provided. References are included only when a specific resource has been relied upon.
Trends in the Integration of ICT and Learning In K-12 Systems (PDF - 150 kb)
Telesat/SchoolNet Multimedia Satellite Trials Project: An action-research evaluation
Thérèse Laferrière, Elizabeth Murphy, Herb Wideman, Réjean Payette (2003)
This study included the development of a methodology for evaluation of the effects of providing broadband connectivity and collected base-line data in schools from three provinces (Newfoundland, Quebec and Ontario). The evaluation research is designed to provide decision makers with information about the technical and pedagogical implications of such access in schools engaged in the pilot initiative. It provides much-needed information on the benefits and role of high-speed access in terms of teaching and learning.
Telesat/SchoolNet Multimedia Satellite Trials Project: An action-research evaluation (PDF - 1331 kb)
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Citizenship Education
Yvonne Hébert, University of Calgary, and Alan Sears, University of New Brunswick (2001)
Citizenship Education was one of the themes developed on the CEA's former Canadian Education Research Information System (CERIS). This piece contains information on the history, trends, questions, programs and initiatives, issues and future directions of citizenship education, in addition to providing an extensive list of references.
Citizenship Education (PDF - 300 kb)
The Promise and Problem of Literacy for Canada: An Agenda for Action
This policy brief argues for improved literacy rates among Canadians, and examines the benefits of higher literacy for individuals and society. The brief also proposes for the development of a Canadian Agenda for Literacy, that will promote quality, equity, and sustainability of literacy.
The Promise and Problem of Literacy for Canada: An Agenda for Action (PDF - 3149 kb)