Canadians continue to give their schools high marks

EDMONTON, July 14 /CNW Telbec/ - The majority of Canadians continue to grade the nation's schools with either an A or B, according to polling results released this week by the Canadian Teachers' Federation (CTF). The Federation's Annual General Meeting begins today in Edmonton.

"Six out of ten adult Canadians surveyed this past spring rated schools in their own communities with an A or B, and 53 per cent awarded schools in their province or territory similar grades," says CTF President Mary-Lou Donnelly.

"Not only do Canadians rate schools in their own communities more highly than those in the remainder of their province or territory," notes Donnelly, "but parents of children attending public school tend to rate the job their schools are doing more highly than non-parents."

The findings are contained in the National Issues in Education Poll conducted by Vector Research for CTF between Feb. 18 and March 5, 2010. Some 2,591 Canadian adults took part in the online poll.

The survey also asked respondents to rate the job schools in their communities are doing in relation to six issues. Some 78 per cent of those polled rated as "good" or "excellent" the job their schools are doing with respect to giving girls and boys an equal chance to succeed. Seven in ten believed their schools are making sure all students feel respected, welcome and included. Two-thirds of respondents believed their schools were ensuring Aboriginal and other ethnic minority groups the same chance to succeed in school as white children. Close to six in ten participants rated their schools in the top two categories on questions of respect for sexual orientation, equal opportunities for rich and poor children, and inclusion of students with physical, emotional and learning disabilities.

The National Issues in Education Poll examined a wide range of issues, including Canadians' priorities for education spending as well as attitudes towards measuring student achievement, emerging problems such as cyberbullying and programs and activities that foster citizenship.

CTF (www.ctf-fce.ca) represents nearly 200,000 teachers in Canada as their national voice on education and related social issues. It is a member of Education International (http://www.ei-ie.org).

For further information: Comments: Mary-Lou Donnelly, CTF President; Media Contact: Francine Filion, Director of Communications, 613-688-4314 or 613-899-4247 (cell)