People for Education is a unique organization in Canada: independent, non-partisan, and fueled by a belief in the power and promise of public education. We create evidence, instigate dialogue, and build links so that people can see – and act on – the connection between public education and a fair and prosperous society.
What makes a school?
In a time of rapid social and economic change, well-resourced schools are more important than ever. Results from the 2019 Annual Ontario School Survey show the impact when policy change is supported by resources and coherent direction. The report raises concerns about the province’s plans to modernize education while simultaneously reducing funding for teachers and other vital supports in schools.
Read the report version française Support our research
Why public education?
We asked students, educators, parents, and researchers to answer the question "Why public education?"
Here is what they had to say...
Cuts to education will total almost $1 billion
On March 15th, the Minister of Education announced that the province was modernizing curriculum, going “back to basics” in math, and making significant reductions in funding for school boards.
We did the math. The announced changes will amount to a total of almost $1 billion in cuts.
Latest articles
What makes a school?
The 2019 report on Ontario schools, based on survey responses from 1254 principals across Ontario, points to evidence that the school environment—and all of the adults in it—are key drivers for students’ overall success.
Special education funding–formulas within formulas within formulas
Ontario schools have an ever-increasing proportion of students requiring special education support. And many principals report insufficient resources to support students with special needs.
How does the province fund school boards?
School boards are talking about cuts to funding and teaching staff, but how does the province provide funding to school boards and why is each board’s funding different?
PFE in the news
London Free Press: Student well-being, rural schools to be hammered by funding cuts: Officials
According to the Thames Valley District School Board, rural schools will be most affected by the proposed cuts to education funding. These cuts may affect both classroom learning and student mental health.
Report identifies challenges for implementation of new provincial policy on technology in schools
A new report from People for Education identifies potential implementation challenges for the new provincial policy on technology in schools, including mandatory e-learning credits and cellphone bans.
Ottawa Citizen: Few students currently enrolled in e-learning courses
"Just five per cent of students on average per high school in Ontario are currently enrolled in online courses, and some have trouble learning so independently, says a report released Monday."