As countries across the world battle to put the years of recession behind them and establish the right conditions for a sustained economic recovery, attention invariably turns to the role of education. In this context, it is no surprise that the comparative performance of education systems is attracting more attention than ever before.
In Canada, questions are being raised about whether we are keeping pace with the world’s leading education systems, and whether our performance has been eroding over time. There are also concerns about whether too many students from less advantaged backgrounds are being left behind. This report addresses these questions and concerns by reviewing the latest international evidence regarding achievement and equity in education in Canada and other jurisdictions. For purposes of context, Canada’s system of education is in fact 13 distinct systems (10 provinces and 3 territories). Unlike almost every other country, Canada has no national department of education or federal education policy.
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