SCHOOL FOR THOUGHT

It Still Doesn’t Add Up

One of the worst obstacles Canadian education reformers face is the widespread complacency about our public schools, especially in light of Canada’s good showing on the PISA international comparisons. It is my impression, however, that most Canadian public schools are still not offering a very good service. If I thought otherwise, I would happily go off and play more tennis and bridge. But worries about an uneducated citizenry, failed children, and my own grandchildren keep me hunched over my computer.

This recent article from the Canadian journal University Affairs bears out my worries about the state of math education. If you read down far enough, you’ll see why good results on the PISA comparisons are not in fact reassuring.