Education policy and research round-up

Stay tuned to this space for the latest policy and research development shaping public education in Canada and internationally. Do you have something you want us to know about and share? Please let us know!

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March 2025 February 2025

	The Northwest Territories has the highest proportion of 4- and 5-year-olds in junior kindergarten in the country, and it’s making a difference in kids’ readiness for school. READ MORE
	Enrolment in public schools in Canada is the highest it’s been in 20 years. The largest enrolment increases were in New Brunswick and Alberta. READ MORE
	Canadian 15-year-olds rank 3rd in creative thinking among OECD countries. Being able to think creatively and generate new ideas are vital skills for success in today’s world. READ MORE
	There’s an epidemic of student disengagement according to researchers at the Center for Universal Education at the Brookings Institution in Washington. They recommend redesigning schools so that students spend more time in “explorer mode.” READ MORE
	Portugal’s National Strategy for Citizenship Education includes a concrete plan for building citizenship and democracy skills starting in kindergarten. READ MORE

	Newfoundland and Labrador’s new Education Accord is a great example of a province that’s thinking long-term about education. The new ten-year Education Accord maps out goals for education from the early years to beyond post-secondary to create an inclusive, future-ready education system. READ MORE
	Yukon Territory’s First Nation School Board, created in 2022, is providing students with adapted programming, assessment, and structure to reflect First Nations perspectives and life, including holding classes year-round.  READ MORE
	The Screen Break Initiative launched by The Dais at Toronto Metropolitan University, is a Canada-wide initiative to support students, educators, administrators, and families, as they navigate a new, necessary reality – mobile phone-free schools. READ MORE
	Canada’s national school food program is making progress, and Ontario is the latest province to sign an agreement with the federal government. READ MORE

The Reimagine Playbook - created by young advocates convened by Unicef Canada – is a perfect example of the kind of integrated thinking and recommendations Canada needs to support real change in health and education. The young authors describe the Playbook as “a resource for young people who want to have their voices heard and for all people who want to create change.”  READ MORE