Home
About Us
Our Donors
Publications
Research
Education Analyst
Policy Watch
Media & Events
Order Publications
Contact Us
Site Map
The Society for the Advancement of Excellence in Education provides non-partisan education research and information to policy-makers, education partners and the public. Our purpose is to encourage higher performance throughout Canada's public education system.
|
Report Profiles Successful Low-Income Schools
[ January 29, 2002, Kelowna, B.C. ] A study released
today features Canadian secondary schools that are defying the odds, achieving academic
excellence with students from low-income families.
Schools That Make a Difference profiles twelve public schools in
Alberta, British Columbia and Quebec, collectively enrolling 16,000 students. The research
sample includes both successful and less successful schools to identify practices that
promote or inhibit student achievement. It is the first substantial Canadian study of
performance-related practices in schools serving low-income urban areas.
This research confirms that schools can reduce social inequalities
by stressing high expectations and supportive structures and services, said Helen
Raham, of the Society for the Advancement of Excellence in Education (SAEE) who
commissioned the study. We hope that sharing these real-life case stories will inspire
other Canadian schools facing similar challenges.
The practices observed in the successful schools in this study are
similar to those in the international research on effective schools. Strong leadership,
academic structure, results orientation, caring teachers, and versatile support strategies
appear to be especially important characteristics in schools serving at-risk populations.
The $220,000 two-year study was commissioned by SAEE in 1999
with funding from Max Bell Foundation. The statistical work for school selection was done
by Dr. Claudio Violato, University of Calgary. The case studies (350 pp) were produced by
Professor Claude Lessard, University of Montreal, and retired associate/deputy
superintendents, Muriel Dunnigan, Alex Gardner, and Neal Muhtadi.
A final report analyzing the findings across the twelve schools was
prepared by Dr. Norman Henchey, professor emeritus, McGill University. This summary report
(85 pp) published in both official languages makes recommendations to increase the
capacity of schools to make a difference for their students.
For further information:
Helen Raham, Exec. Director, SAEE Tel. (250) 717-1163,
Norman Henchey (514) 637-0581,
Alex Gardner (780) 922-2586 or Muriel Dunnigan (780) 430-6166 (Alberta),
Claude Lessard (514) 343-7444 (Quebec),
Neal Muhtadi (604) 859-6690 (BC)
♦ Media & Events ♦ Home
| 
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Media Releases
Media Coverage
Events
A Future in the Process of Arrival
Moving Forward
Sharing Our Success
District Practices and Student Achievement
♦ Disclaimer
♦ Terms and Conditions
♦ Privacy
|
 Society for the Advancement of Excellence in Education
225 - 1889 Springfield Road, Kelowna British Columbia V1Y 5V5 Canada
Telephone 250.717.1163 | Fax 250.717.1134 | Email info@saee.ca |
