Between 1970 and 1990 enrolment in Newfoundland and Labrador schools dropped by 22 percent. The first wave of major educational reform (1990 to 2000) saw massive reductions in public school expenditures and the reduction of more than 1650 teachers. Facing continued enrolment loss and a large current account deficit, in 2004, government again…

Ontario Roman Catholic communities have established and maintained their own schools for over 200 years. Yet, their struggle for survival has not come without many challenges, setbacks, and criticisms. With the achievement of open-access at the secondary level and equal funding across the system, many question the legitimacy and worthiness of…

The greatest challenge for institutions of higher education in most OECD countries since the 1970s has arguably been to cope with reduced public support. Many institutions responded to reductions in funding, first, by cutting costs and lobbying governments to reverse cutbacks, and then--when it became clear that funding levels would not be…

Compares a 1970s-era Canadian high school's failure to sustain its innovative character with challenges faced by a similar, recently founded high school. Both schools experienced problems with leadership succession, staff recruitment and retention, expanding enrollments, district and policy context, and community support. Recommendations are…

This article recounts the legal battles that ensued when the Saskatchewan (Canada) Minister of Education closed a special school for the deaf. The case, "Trofimenkoff versus Saskatchewan," is analyzed in terms of the plaintiffs' case against closure and decisions against the plaintiffs by the Minister, the Court of the Queen's Bench, and…

During the 1990s, the school has become the center of blame. Policymakers seem more interested in identifying failing schools than celebrating successes. This paper uses case-study research on a once-innovative Ontario high school to show that "deadwood" schools do not kill themselves, but need outsiders' help. (42 references) (MLH)

One school in Canada's Exemplary Schools Project, Grandy's River Collegiate, is a rural high school threatened with closure because it does not meet Newfoundland's new "viability" requirements (primarily involving school size). Compares characteristics of several types of schools, and suggests that schools such as Grandy's are suited to…

Presents a historical case study of a once-innovative Canadian high school that, 25 years later, has "evolved" into a conventional secondary school. There is a predictable historical pattern that this and other innovative schools generally follow. Early indications of attrition may prevent further erosion of a school's vision. (79…

The financial position of Ontario universities is assessed relative to that of comparable U.S. institutions. To maintain and sustain Ontario's universities and thereby maintain and sustain Ontario's competitive position in today's global economy requires a significant financial investment. This study focuses primarily on 10 doctoral-level…

In Alberta, reductions in educational funding and a "back to basics" mentality have resulted in reduced support for outdoor and environmental education. Elementary/secondary programs have responded by taking the programs directly to the schools to avoid transportation costs, and by cutting the more adventurous programs. Postsecondary…

Reflects on the heady past and dubious future of outdoor education in Ontario. Calls for reconceptualizing the field of outdoor education, taking down the terminological fence created by the word "outdoor," focusing on the holistic aspects of outdoor education, and uniting with like-minded souls in education as a whole, to survive into…

Describes how an outdoor leadership center changed in response to fiscal restraints by expanding its facilities, diversifying programs to reach both youth and adult clients, and becoming financially accountable. Program changes resulted from three studies that gathered input from program stakeholders and government representatives. (LP)

A rural British Columbia K-12 school facing closure due to declining population implemented intentional learning, student-directed learning, and learning groups as core units for developing communities of learners. A computer-managed learning system and online scheduling enables delivery of a full range of courses despite decreases in teaching…

On September 10, 1996, the government of Newfoundland and Labrador (Canada) announced that public consultation on education reform would begin on September 16. Just prior to the first hearing, the government circulated a document entitled "Structuring the Education System: A Public Consultation Paper for Educational Change in Newfoundland and…

It is argued that, although Canadian universities face serious problems of money, morale, and purpose, their main problem may be that they are ill-equipped for constructive, institutionwide problem solving because of a preoccupation with finances, lack of useful decision-making or decision-implementing structures, and neglect of their own…