Urgent Action Needed to Improve Math and Reading Scores in Canadian Schools
Commentary
As students return to classrooms across Canada, the focus should be on enhancing teaching and learning to address the concerning decline in math and reading skills.
Recent results from the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) show a significant decrease in math skills among 15-year-old Canadian students over the past two decades. This decline is also evident in reading scores, indicating a need for a renewed emphasis on foundational academic skills.
It is crucial to prioritize core academic principles in math, such as memorization of times tables and mastering standard algorithms for basic operations. These skills are essential for students to tackle more complex mathematical problems in higher grades and beyond.
Similarly, in reading instruction, a focus on phonics—where students learn to sound out words letter by letter—is proven to be more effective than whole language approaches. Schools should prioritize content-rich curriculum guides to expand students’ knowledge base and enhance reading comprehension.
To ensure success in post-secondary education and beyond, students must also be equipped with a broad knowledge base through subjects like science and social studies. These subjects provide essential background information and critical thinking skills necessary for understanding the world.
Furthermore, schools should promote a diverse range of ideas and perspectives to encourage respectful dialogue among students, rather than promoting divisive woke ideology centered on race, gender, and sexuality.
The prevalence of “diversity, equity, and inclusion” (DEI) initiatives in school boards often leads to indoctrination rather than education. This approach not only hinders academic development but also alienates students from disadvantaged backgrounds who lack access to additional resources.
It is imperative that schools prioritize academic excellence over ideological agendas and focus on providing students with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in their academic pursuits and future endeavors.
Views expressed in this article are opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
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