Topic: Public policy
The evolution of freedom of information in Ontario: From reactive to proactice disclosure
Much progress has been made in improving access to government information. But much more must be done; governments should embrace the ideas of Open Data and automatic disclosure to ensure accountability and citizen participation in public life.
READ MOREThe MOOC bubble and the attack on public education
MOOCs are the hot new educational trend, garnering headlines around the world. But the hype conceals a speculative bubble, a gamble where public higher education has everything to lose and business interests have everything to gain.
READ MOREGood government and Statistics Canada: The need for true independence
The cancellation of the long form census in 2010 raised serious questions about the independence of Statistics Canada. Munir A. Sheik, former Chief Statistician of Canada, argues that Statistics Canada needs to be insulated from political interference to ensure good data and good public policy.
READ MOREMore on bad Ontario/California comparisons
Ken Snowdon has released a paper that echoes our criticisms about Ian Clark’s recent article advocating “California Style”differentiation in Ontario. OCUFA, our […]
READ MOREThe perils of California Dreamin’ in higher education
Writing in the National Post, Ian Clark argues that emulating California’s higher education system will increase the productivity and efficiency of Ontario’s […]
READ MOREWhy not have mandatory “toolbox” training?
In a recent meeting with a number of teaching-minded colleagues, one made what – to me – sounded like a rather innocent […]
READ MORECanada’s Self-Imposed Crisis in Post-Secondary Education
On June 7, I gave a keynote address to the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees Education Sector Conference. Points I raised in […]
READ MORETenure and Academic Freedom: The Beginning of the End
Since the Second World War, Canadian and American universities have offered faculty members tenure, the promise of lifetime employment to those who […]
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Expanding graduate programs and renewing the professoriate: What’s the connection?
Does Ontario need to expand its master’s and doctoral programs in order to supply the professors who will teach these additional students? Ian Clark, David Trick and Richard Van Loon argue that in all fields of graduate study, the government should take into account the best available evidence to ensure that the number of graduate spaces is sufficient to meet the needs of the workforce, but not higher.
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Drummond Will Likely Have Little Impact on Universities
How would post-secondary education be affected by the recommendations of the Drummond report, and is Drummond’s approach advisable? Professor Paul Axelrod suggests that in an environment of instituional autonomy, the effects will be minimal. As has been the case for many years, Drummond continues the trend of expecting universities to teach too many students with too few resources.
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