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How is Canada's educational system the same and/or different to the USA educational system?

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What evidence did you find that support the impact public schools in the educational system?

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There isn't a federal government controlled or funded state school system in Canada. State-funded provincial schools are called public or separate schools (which are Roman Catholic public schools), and although anyone can attend either, they're generally split along religious denomination lines.

Public schools are the responsibility of individual provincial departments of education and funded mainly from local and provincial taxes, with some federal funds. Practices and policies regarding education (public and private) vary depending on the province. Provincial departments of education determine education policy in accordance with provincial laws. The minister of education is responsible for setting policy relating to educational affairs, such as the allocation of provincial and federal funds, certification of teachers, textbooks and library services, provision of records and educational statistics, and setting and enforcing the term of compulsory education.

One of the unique aspects of the Canadian public school system is the amount of decentralisation and the degree to which schools are run by local school authorities. Each province is divided at the local level into school districts governed by a superintendent and a locally elected school board (or board of education) that decides instructional policies, hires teachers, purchases equipment and generally oversees the day-to-day running of schools. Most schools have Parents Advisory Councils (PACs) that mainly concern themselves with raising money to buy equipment such as computers, video surveillance, emergency lighting, playground equipment and school buses for children with special needs.

Teacher qualifications and standards vary from province to province. All provinces require teachers to have a licence or certificate to teach in public elementary and secondary schools, although the actual requirements for teacher certificates are set by provincial education departments. All provinces require a bachelor's degree for teaching elementary grades and most require a bachelor's degree as the minimum preparation for teaching in secondary schools, while a few insist on five years' study or a masters degree. The full-time teaching force at primary and secondary level is around 310,000, with another 40,000 at universities and colleges. Parents are encouraged to participate in their child's education and schools are constantly seeking volunteer 'teacher's assistants' to help with reading, art and special projects.

Choosing a Public School

For most Canadian parents, one of the most important (if not the most important) criterion when choosing a new neighbourhood is the reputation of its public schools. This is often measured by the number of students schools send to the best Canadian universities (statistics are provided by all schools). In recent years there's been an ongoing debate about school choice, which varies considerably depending on the city or province, e.g. in Edmonton (Alberta) parents can send their children to any school in the city and in Manitoba parents can choose any school in the province (provided there are spaces available).

However, in most areas it's necessary to send your child to the public school that serves the area where you live and it's difficult to get your child accepted at a public school in another area. For this reason, homes within the catchment area of desirable schools are in demand and more expensive. If you plan to send your child to a public school, you should make enquiries about the quality of local schools before deciding where to live. Often the more expensive property is in a neighbourhood, the better the local public schools. Relocation guides are published in many cities and regions, which usually include profiles of local schools and comparative scores for different grades. Many communities take pride in the quality of their local public school system, which is crucial in maintaining property values.

The quality of public schools varies considerably from province to province and community to community, and although some are poor, most are excellent. Where schools are well-run, well-supported and well-funded by the local community, the quality of public education rivals any in the world and can offer opportunities seldom available in many other countries. Even at schools where average standards are low, students who take full advantage of the opportunities afforded receive an excellent education.

Organisation

Most children start school before the age of six, when compulsory schooling usually begins, either in a nursery school or a kindergarten. The maximum 13 years of formal elementary and secondary education covers education from the ages of 5 to 18, divided into increments called grades (kindergarten and grades 1 to 12). Children usually start in kindergarten at the age of five and advance one grade per year until reaching grade 12 at age 18. Occasionally a student must repeat a grade due to prolonged absence or low marks, but this is rare.

A child can legally quit (drop out of) school at 16, but this is generally discouraged and the vast majority of students stay at high school until they reach the age of 18.

Age: Grade - School

2 to 5: - - Pre-school or Kindergarten
6 to 11: 1 to 6 - Elementary
12 to 14: 7 to 9 - Junior high
15 to 18: 10 to 12 - Senior high

Usually a student has one teacher for all major subjects during his first six years of schooling (elementary) and a different teacher for each subject during the last six grades in junior and senior high schools.

Registration

At elementary and secondary levels, students usually attend a public school close to their home. If you have a preference for a particular public school or school district, it's usually necessary to buy or rent a property in that area, although you can request that your child attends a school outside your area (called 'cross-boundary'). It's quite normal for Canadians to ask an estate agent to find them a home in a particular school district. All schools prefer children to start at the beginning of a new term (semester), although this isn't mandatory.

Parents should enquire at a school district's central office or Board of Education to find out which school their child will be assigned to and the documents required for registration. Usually you need to produce proof of residence, an immigration record of landing, a passport, a birth certificate (or a certified copy) and details of your child's medical history, including immunisations and tuberculin screening. It's also necessary to provide past scholastic records, including a school report from your child's last school. This is used to assign students to a class or grade and should be as detailed as possible, with samples of essays, projects and examinations.

Many towns provide transport to school (buses), although it may be provided for certain schools or ages only, and may depend on the distance, e.g. there may be a school bus only when the distance from your home to school is over 2 or 2.5 miles. Some towns provide buses for children in special education only.

Terms & School Hours

The school year in Canada usually runs from the first week of September until the end of June (ten months) and is divided into periods or quarters (terms/semesters). There are a few year-round schools and some that have a year that runs from mid-August to the end of May. School holiday dates are published by schools well in advance, thus allowing parents plenty of time to schedule family holidays during official school holidays. It isn't advisable to take a child out of school when he should be taking examinations or during important course work assignments.

The school day in elementary schools is usually from 8.30am to 3 or 3.30pm, with an hour for lunch. There are also usually two 15-minute breaks (recesses) to allow students to let off steam between classes (and to allow teachers to find the aspirin). In high schools, hours are usually from 8.30am until 2.30pm. Extracurricular activities and sports are scheduled after school hours. Lessons in public schools are held from Mondays to Fridays and there are no lessons on Saturdays or Sundays. Canada also has what it calls 'semestered high schools', where instead of the standard eight subjects being taught throughout the year, four subjects are taught each term, with one long lesson (usually 70 minutes) on each subject each day. This system is thought to give a better understanding of each subject and to be more suitable for pupils who find it difficult to cope with eight subjects each week.

Health

In most provinces, school children must be immunised against a range of diseases before starting school. These may include polio, DTP (diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough) and MMR (measles, mumps and rubella or German measles). Tuberculosis screening may also be necessary. Most schools have full or part-time nurses (who may cover a number of schools) or at the very least staff trained in administering first-aid. Special medical checks (physicals) are necessary to take part in some sports activities. Dental checks aren't carried out at schools, but many schools promote a dental health week. Health education is provided in elementary and secondary schools, including sex education and graphic explanations of the perils of drugs and smoking (which are combined with community programmes). In many communities, volunteer ambulance corps members teach children about safety and accident prevention.

Pre-school Education

Pre-school education embraces all formal and informal education before the age of five (when compulsory schooling starts). It includes tots and toddler programmes, play school, nursery school and kindergarten. Attendance at school for children under five years of age isn't compulsory in Canada, where pre-schools and nursery schools are private. However, kindergarten is part of the public school system and is compulsory for children aged five on 1st September, when they will start at the beginning of the school year in September.

There are various types of pre-schools in Canada, including non-profit co-operative schools, church-affiliated schools, local community schools, private schools and Montessori schools. A co-operative school is usually the least expensive as parents work voluntarily as teachers' aides alongside professional teachers. Church-affiliated schools are usually attached to religious centres and may include religious education (it isn't always necessary for children to follow the same religion as the school). Private schools are the most expensive and vary considerably from small home-run set-ups to large custom-built schools. A number of private nursery schools in Canada use the Montessori method of teaching, developed by Dr. Maria Montessori in the early 1900s. Montessori is more a philosophy of life than a teaching method and is based on the firm belief that each child is an individual with unique needs, interests and patterns of growth. Some Montessori schools have 'pre-school' (for children aged two and a half to six years) and elementary levels (ages 6 to 12).

Nursery school is highly recommended for all children, particularly those whose parents don't speak English or French as their mother tongue. After a few years in nursery school a child is integrated into the local community and well prepared for elementary school (particularly when English or French isn't spoken at home). Parents can also make friends in the community through pre-school contacts.

Elementary School

Children must start school on 1st September following their fifth birthday. The first years of compulsory schooling in Canada are called elementary or primary school. Elementary school is usually mixed and is usually attended until age 11 (grades 1 to 6), when students go on to a junior high school. In some districts, students attend elementary school until age 13 (up to grade 8) before attending a senior high school.

The elementary school curriculum varies with the organisation and educational aims of individual schools and local communities. Promotion from one grade to the next is based on testing and a child whose performance is poor may be required to repeat a year, while a gifted child may be allowed to skip a year. Elementary schools provide instruction in the fundamental skills of reading, writing and maths, as well as history, geography, crafts, music, science, art, and physical education (phys ed. or gym). French and 'foreign' languages, which used to be taught only at high schools, are now introduced during the last few years of elementary school in some areas and, if you wish, your child can enter an 'early French immersion programme' at kindergarten or grade 1 level. For more information contact the local branch of the 'Canadian Parents for French' programme.

Secondary School

Secondary education in Canada is for children aged from 12 to 18 (grades 7 to 12). It generally takes place in a high school, that may be divided into junior and senior high (held in separate buildings or even at separate locations). Junior high is for those aged 12 to 14 (grades 7 to 9) and senior high for ages 15 to 17 (grades 10 to 12). In Quebec, students attend high school for grades 7 to 11 and then transfer to a general and vocational college ( collége d'enseignement général et professionnel/CEGEP) for a further two or three years. Like elementary education, secondary education is mixed.

Secondary schools may specialise in academic or vocational streams or the arts; all include some kind of 'streaming' system that's designed to prepare students for a vocational or community college or university. Mandatory or 'core' curriculum subjects must be studied for a prescribed number of years or terms, as decided by each province. These generally include English (French), maths, general science, health, sport (physical education) and social studies or social sciences (which may include Canadian history and government, geography, world history and social problems). In addition to mandatory subjects, students choose optional subjects (electives) that will benefit them in the future.

Electives usually comprise around half of a student's work in grades 9 to 12. Around the ninth grade, students receive career guidance counselling as they begin to plan their careers and select subjects that will be useful in their chosen fields. Counselling continues throughout the senior high school years and into college. Larger schools may offer a selection of elective courses aimed at three or more levels: academic, vocational and general. Students planning to go on to college or university elect courses with an emphasis on academic sciences (biology, chemistry, physics), higher mathematics (algebra, geometry, trigonometry and calculus), advanced English or French literature, composition, social sciences or foreign languages.

The vocational programme may provide training in four fields: agricultural education which prepares students for farm management and operation; business education which trains students for the commercial field; home economics which prepares students for home management, child care and care of the sick; and trade and industrial education which provides training for jobs in mechanical, manufacturing, building and other trades. Students interested in entering business from high school may take typing, book-keeping, computer studies or 'business' English or French.

School sports are popular in Canada, although most take place outside school hours (extracurricular). Team sports have a high profile at high school and being 'on the school team' is more important to many students than being top of the class. Students who excel at sports are often referred to disparagingly as 'jocks', implying that they're too stupid or lazy to succeed at their academic work. However, if a student's grades don't reach the required level he's likely to be barred from taking part in team sports until his grades improve (and he's constantly monitored). High school sport is central to school activities and the ceremony that goes with college sport is also found at high-school level.

In addition to sports, many other school-sponsored activities take place outside school hours, including science and nature clubs, musical organisations (e.g. band and choir), art and drama groups, and language clubs. Most high schools have a student-run newspaper and a photographic darkroom is also usually available. Colleges and universities place considerable weight on the achievements of students in high school extracurricular activities, as do Canadian employers. High schools are also important social centres and participation in school-organised social events, such as school dances and the first hockey game of the season, is widespread.

Examinations & Grades

When a student enrols in a public school, a 'record file' is opened for him (which follows him throughout his school years) and there's a continuous evaluation system throughout all grades. Students are marked on each essay (paper), exam and course taken in each subject studied throughout their 13 years of education (grades K to 12). The following grading system is used in high schools throughout Canada:

Grade: Classification - Percentage

All grades are internal and are in relation to the general standard achieved at a particular school, which usually makes it difficult to compare standards in different schools and provinces. Marks depend on a range of criteria, including a student's performance in tests given at intervals during the year, participation in class discussions, completion of homework assignments, and independent projects. Students receive a report card at least twice per year (in some districts it may be up to six times per year), which shows their grades in each subject they're studying.

High school students who need to make up for lost time after illness (or idleness) can attend special 'cramming' courses at learning centres run by private companies such as the Sylvan Learning Centre, which has centres in most large towns in Canada (see your yellow pages or www.educate.com). High schools divide their curriculum into 'advanced', which prepares students to go to university, or 'general', which prepares students to go to a community college or trade school.

High school students take the General Educational Development (GED) Diploma before completing high school, which is the recognised entrance qualification for admission to a Canadian university (mature students aged 25 or over can take GED 'equivalency exams' if they haven't passed the GED).

Public schools are the responsibility of individual provincial departments of education and funded mainly from local and provincial taxes, with some federal funds. Practices and policies regarding education (public and private) vary depending on the province. Provincial departments of education determine education policy in accordance with provincial laws. The minister of education is responsible for setting policy relating to educational affairs, such as the allocation of provincial and federal funds, certification of teachers, textbooks and library services, provision of records and educational statistics, and setting and enforcing the term of compulsory education.

One of the unique aspects of the Canadian public school system is the amount of decentralisation and the degree to which schools are run by local school authorities. Each province is divided at the local level into school districts governed by a superintendent and a locally elected school board (or board of education) that decides instructional policies, hires teachers, purchases equipment and generally oversees the day-to-day running of schools. Most schools have Parents Advisory Councils (PACs) that mainly concern themselves with raising money to buy equipment such as computers, video surveillance, emergency lighting, playground equipment and school buses for children with special needs.

Teacher qualifications and standards vary from province to province. All provinces require teachers to have a licence or certificate to teach in public elementary and secondary schools, although the actual requirements for teacher certificates are set by provincial education departments. All provinces require a bachelor's degree for teaching elementary grades and most require a bachelor's degree as the minimum preparation for teaching in secondary schools, while a few insist on five years' study or a masters degree. The full-time teaching force at primary and secondary level is around 310,000, with another 40,000 at universities and colleges. Parents are encouraged to participate in their child's education and schools are constantly seeking volunteer 'teacher's assistants' to help with reading, art and special projects.

Choosing a Public School

For most Canadian parents, one of the most important (if not the most important) criterion when choosing a new neighbourhood is the reputation of its public schools. This is often measured by the number of students schools send to the best Canadian universities (statistics are provided by all schools). In recent years there's been an ongoing debate about school choice, which varies considerably depending on the city or province, e.g. in Edmonton (Alberta) parents can send their children to any school in the city and in Manitoba parents can choose any school in the province (provided there are spaces available).

However, in most areas it's necessary to send your child to the public school that serves the area where you live and it's difficult to get your child accepted at a public school in another area. For this reason, homes within the catchment area of desirable schools are in demand and more expensive. If you plan to send your child to a public school, you should make enquiries about the quality of local schools before deciding where to live. Often the more expensive property is in a neighbourhood, the better the local public schools. Relocation guides are published in many cities and regions, which usually include profiles of local schools and comparative scores for different grades. Many communities take pride in the quality of their local public school system, which is crucial in maintaining property values.

The quality of public schools varies considerably from province to province and community to community, and although some are poor, most are excellent. Where schools are well-run, well-supported and well-funded by the local community, the quality of public education rivals any in the world and can offer opportunities seldom available in many other countries. Even at schools where average standards are low, students who take full advantage of the opportunities afforded receive an excellent education.

Organisation

Most children start school before the age of six, when compulsory schooling usually begins, either in a nursery school or a kindergarten. The maximum 13 years of formal elementary and secondary education covers education from the ages of 5 to 18, divided into increments called grades (kindergarten and grades 1 to 12). Children usually start in kindergarten at the age of five and advance one grade per year until reaching grade 12 at age 18. Occasionally a student must repeat a grade due to prolonged absence or low marks, but this is rare.

A child can legally quit (drop out of) school at 16, but this is generally discouraged and the vast majority of students stay at high school until they reach the age of 18.

Age: Grade - School

2 to 5: - - Pre-school or Kindergarten
6 to 11: 1 to 6 - Elementary
12 to 14: 7 to 9 - Junior high
15 to 18: 10 to 12 - Senior high

Usually a student has one teacher for all major subjects during his first six years of schooling (elementary) and a different teacher for each subject during the last six grades in junior and senior high schools.

Registration

At elementary and secondary levels, students usually attend a public school close to their home. If you have a preference for a particular public school or school district, it's usually necessary to buy or rent a property in that area, although you can request that your child attends a school outside your area (called 'cross-boundary'). It's quite normal for Canadians to ask an estate agent to find them a home in a particular school district. All schools prefer children to start at the beginning of a new term (semester), although this isn't mandatory.

Parents should enquire at a school district's central office or Board of Education to find out which school their child will be assigned to and the documents required for registration. Usually you need to produce proof of residence, an immigration record of landing, a passport, a birth certificate (or a certified copy) and details of your child's medical history, including immunisations and tuberculin screening. It's also necessary to provide past scholastic records, including a school report from your child's last school. This is used to assign students to a class or grade and should be as detailed as possible, with samples of essays, projects and examinations.

Many towns provide transport to school (buses), although it may be provided for certain schools or ages only, and may depend on the distance, e.g. there may be a school bus only when the distance from your home to school is over 2 or 2.5 miles. Some towns provide buses for children in special education only.

Terms & School Hours

The school year in Canada usually runs from the first week of September until the end of June (ten months) and is divided into periods or quarters (terms/semesters). There are a few year-round schools and some that have a year that runs from mid-August to the end of May. School holiday dates are published by schools well in advance, thus allowing parents plenty of time to schedule family holidays during official school holidays. It isn't advisable to take a child out of school when he should be taking examinations or during important course work assignments.

The school day in elementary schools is usually from 8.30am to 3 or 3.30pm, with an hour for lunch. There are also usually two 15-minute breaks (recesses) to allow students to let off steam between classes (and to allow teachers to find the aspirin). In high schools, hours are usually from 8.30am until 2.30pm. Extracurricular activities and sports are scheduled after school hours. Lessons in public schools are held from Mondays to Fridays and there are no lessons on Saturdays or Sundays. Canada also has what it calls 'semestered high schools', where instead of the standard eight subjects being taught throughout the year, four subjects are taught each term, with one long lesson (usually 70 minutes) on each subject each day. This system is thought to give a better understanding of each subject and to be more suitable for pupils who find it difficult to cope with eight subjects each week.

Health

In most provinces, school children must be immunised against a range of diseases before starting school. These may include polio, DTP (diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough) and MMR (measles, mumps and rubella or German measles). Tuberculosis screening may also be necessary. Most schools have full or part-time nurses (who may cover a number of schools) or at the very least staff trained in administering first-aid. Special medical checks (physicals) are necessary to take part in some sports activities. Dental checks aren't carried out at schools, but many schools promote a dental health week. Health education is provided in elementary and secondary schools, including sex education and graphic explanations of the perils of drugs and smoking (which are combined with community programmes). In many communities, volunteer ambulance corps members teach children about safety and accident prevention.

Pre-school Education

Pre-school education embraces all formal and informal education before the age of five (when compulsory schooling starts). It includes tots and toddler programmes, play school, nursery school and kindergarten. Attendance at school for children under five years of age isn't compulsory in Canada, where pre-schools and nursery schools are private. However, kindergarten is part of the public school system and is compulsory for children aged five on 1st September, when they will start at the beginning of the school year in September.

There are various types of pre-schools in Canada, including non-profit co-operative schools, church-affiliated schools, local community schools, private schools and Montessori schools. A co-operative school is usually the least expensive as parents work voluntarily as teachers' aides alongside professional teachers. Church-affiliated schools are usually attached to religious centres and may include religious education (it isn't always necessary for children to follow the same religion as the school). Private schools are the most expensive and vary considerably from small home-run set-ups to large custom-built schools. A number of private nursery schools in Canada use the Montessori method of teaching, developed by Dr. Maria Montessori in the early 1900s. Montessori is more a philosophy of life than a teaching method and is based on the firm belief that each child is an individual with unique needs, interests and patterns of growth. Some Montessori schools have 'pre-school' (for children aged two and a half to six years) and elementary levels (ages 6 to 12).

Nursery school is highly recommended for all children, particularly those whose parents don't speak English or French as their mother tongue. After a few years in nursery school a child is integrated into the local community and well prepared for elementary school (particularly when English or French isn't spoken at home). Parents can also make friends in the community through pre-school contacts.

Elementary School

Children must start school on 1st September following their fifth birthday. The first years of compulsory schooling in Canada are called elementary or primary school. Elementary school is usually mixed and is usually attended until age 11 (grades 1 to 6), when students go on to a junior high school. In some districts, students attend elementary school until age 13 (up to grade 8) before attending a senior high school.

The elementary school curriculum varies with the organisation and educational aims of individual schools and local communities. Promotion from one grade to the next is based on testing and a child whose performance is poor may be required to repeat a year, while a gifted child may be allowed to skip a year. Elementary schools provide instruction in the fundamental skills of reading, writing and maths, as well as history, geography, crafts, music, science, art, and physical education (phys ed. or gym). French and 'foreign' languages, which used to be taught only at high schools, are now introduced during the last few years of elementary school in some areas and, if you wish, your child can enter an 'early French immersion programme' at kindergarten or grade 1 level. For more information contact the local branch of the 'Canadian Parents for French' programme.

Secondary School

Secondary education in Canada is for children aged from 12 to 18 (grades 7 to 12). It generally takes place in a high school, that may be divided into junior and senior high (held in separate buildings or even at separate locations). Junior high is for those aged 12 to 14 (grades 7 to 9) and senior high for ages 15 to 17 (grades 10 to 12). In Quebec, students attend high school for grades 7 to 11 and then transfer to a general and vocational college ( collége d'enseignement général et professionnel/CEGEP) for a further two or three years. Like elementary education, secondary education is mixed.

Secondary schools may specialise in academic or vocational streams or the arts; all include some kind of 'streaming' system that's designed to prepare students for a vocational or community college or university. Mandatory or 'core' curriculum subjects must be studied for a prescribed number of years or terms, as decided by each province. These generally include English (French), maths, general science, health, sport (physical education) and social studies or social sciences (which may include Canadian history and government, geography, world history and social problems). In addition to mandatory subjects, students choose optional subjects (electives) that will benefit them in the future.

Electives usually comprise around half of a student's work in grades 9 to 12. Around the ninth grade, students receive career guidance counselling as they begin to plan their careers and select subjects that will be useful in their chosen fields. Counselling continues throughout the senior high school years and into college. Larger schools may offer a selection of elective courses aimed at three or more levels: academic, vocational and general. Students planning to go on to college or university elect courses with an emphasis on academic sciences (biology, chemistry, physics), higher mathematics (algebra, geometry, trigonometry and calculus), advanced English or French literature, composition, social sciences or foreign languages.

The vocational programme may provide training in four fields: agricultural education which prepares students for farm management and operation; business education which trains students for the commercial field; home economics which prepares students for home management, child care and care of the sick; and trade and industrial education which provides training for jobs in mechanical, manufacturing, building and other trades. Students interested in entering business from high school may take typing, book-keeping, computer studies or 'business' English or French.

School sports are popular in Canada, although most take place outside school hours (extracurricular). Team sports have a high profile at high school and being 'on the school team' is more important to many students than being top of the class. Students who excel at sports are often referred to disparagingly as 'jocks', implying that they're too stupid or lazy to succeed at their academic work. However, if a student's grades don't reach the required level he's likely to be barred from taking part in team sports until his grades improve (and he's constantly monitored). High school sport is central to school activities and the ceremony that goes with college sport is also found at high-school level.

In addition to sports, many other school-sponsored activities take place outside school hours, including science and nature clubs, musical organisations (e.g. band and choir), art and drama groups, and language clubs. Most high schools have a student-run newspaper and a photographic darkroom is also usually available. Colleges and universities place considerable weight on the achievements of students in high school extracurricular activities, as do Canadian employers. High schools are also important social centres and participation in school-organised social events, such as school dances and the first hockey game of the season, is widespread.

Examinations & Grades

When a student enrols in a public school, a 'record file' is opened for him (which follows him throughout his school years) and there's a continuous evaluation system throughout all grades. Students are marked on each essay (paper), exam and course taken in each subject studied throughout their 13 years of education (grades K to 12). The following grading system is used in high schools throughout Canada:

Grade: Classification - Percentage

All grades are internal and are in relation to the general standard achieved at a particular school, which usually makes it difficult to compare standards in different schools and provinces. Marks depend on a range of criteria, including a student's performance in tests given at intervals during the year, participation in class discussions, completion of homework assignments, and independent projects. Students receive a report card at least twice per year (in some districts it may be up to six times per year), which shows their grades in each subject they're studying.

High school students who need to make up for lost time after illness (or idleness) can attend special 'cramming' courses at learning centres run by private companies such as the Sylvan Learning Centre, which has centres in most large towns in Canada (see your yellow pages or www.educate.com). High schools divide their curriculum into 'advanced', which prepares students to go to university, or 'general', which prepares students to go to a community college or trade school.

High school students take the General Educational Development (GED) Diploma before completing high school, which is the recognised entrance qualification for admission to a Canadian university (mature students aged 25 or over can take GED 'equivalency exams' if they haven't passed the GED).

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There isn't a federal government controlled or funded state school system in Canada. State-funded provincial schools are called public or separate schools (which are Roman Catholic public schools), and although anyone can attend either, they're generally split along religious denomination lines.

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What evidence did you find that support the impact of public schools in Canadas educational system?

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Private schools in Canada: There are private fee-paying schools in all cities in Canada serving a wide range of needs and educating around 5 per cent of Canadian children. Private schools include

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What evidence did you find that support the impact charter schools in the educational system?

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What evidence did you find that support the impact self-manage schools in Canada's educational system?

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Expert Contributors

Dr. Cait Etherington

Dr. Etherington has taught at the K-12 and postsecondary levels in the United States and Canada. She has also taught and mentored pre-service teachers in both countries. Cait is the senior education consultant for ToBecomeATeacher.org.

An Introduction to Teaching in Canada

Post-election, many Americans, including many teachers, have been wondering whether or not they can simply move north of the border to teach in Canada. Canada, the United States' expansive but sparsely populated northern neighbor, is a socialist state best known for its public healthcare, public education system and vast wilderness. At the moment, Canada also happens to be led by a young and open-minded leader whose own campaign was based on an optimistic call for "sunny ways." While it is not always sunny in Canada, it is a great place to be a teacher. A 2015 survey reported that Canada's teachers are among the world's top paid educators (their wages fall just under those reported by teachers in Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands). While packing up the minivan and escaping north may sound appealing, bear in mind that moving to a new country is never easy, and this holds true in the case of Canada.

Despite the fact that Canada and the United States share many things in common, Canada is a separate nation with strict rules about immigration, foreign hiring and teacher certification. This guide outlines the steps involved in finding work in Canada and offers detailed guidelines on the requirements to become a licensed teacher in all of Canada's ten provinces and 3 territories. This guide also provides an overview of where and how to look for college- and university-level teaching positions.

Teaching at the K-12 Level

The Structure of the K-12 Canadian Education System

Canada is home to 10 provinces and 3 northern territories and each of these regions has its own public education system(s) and teacher licensure standards. In most Canadian provinces, students start school in either pre-kindergarten or kindergarten and graduate in grade 12. As in the United States, middle school or "junior high," runs from 6th to 8th grade. However, in the French-speaking province of Quebec, the system is somewhat different. Students complete elementary school in grade 6; attend high school from 7th to 11th grade; and then complete two years of study at a CEGEP (Collège d'enseignement général et professionnel) prior to attending university. With the exception of CEGEP teachers, who require a graduate degree but not necessarily a degree in education and teacher licensure, all K-12 teachers in Canada must hold a teaching license.

Types of K-12 Education Systems in Canada

Notably, in some but not all provinces (e.g., Ontario), there are two publicly funded education systems: a secular system, commonly known as the "public system," and a Catholic system, commonly known as the "separate system." Since Canada is a bilingual nation, all provinces also have both English and French language school boards. Depending on the region, however, the size of these school boards will vary. Whether one is seeking work in a "public" or "separate" school or in the English or French system, one must obtain a teaching license for the province or territory. The only exception regards private schools, which often hire educators without a degree in education or a provincial teaching license. Don't count on finding work in the private system, however, since there are far fewer private schools in Canada than in the United States. This is largely due to the fact that a higher percentage of people across class locations choose to send their children to public schools.

Canada's Approach to K-12 Teacher Licensure

In general, Canadians take teacher licensure very seriously. While they do not rely on standardized entrance exams (e.g., the Praxis), all provinces and territories have strict rules about who is permitted to work in their publicly funded schools. Like the United States, teacher licensure varies from province to province, and in all jurisdictions, one must hold a degree in education from a four-year university and meet the specific requirements for the level and subject(s) they wish to teach. Unlike the United States, where many states have programs designed to fast track teachers into the classroom (e.g., programs that permit teachers to work full-time while obtaining the courses needed to complete an education degree leading to licensure), in Canada, such programs are rare. If you don't already hold an appropriate degree and teacher licensure, you will likely be unable to step foot in a classroom.

The good news is that with a long history of people moving back and forth across the border, all thirteen of Canada's provinces and territories have clear guidelines on how certified U.S. teachers can become licensed teachers in their jurisdictions.

K-12 Certification by Province and Territory

Below you'll find detailed information about how each Canadian province and territory approaches teacher licensure and specifically, the licensure of teachers who already hold a U.S. teaching license.

Newfoundland

Newfoundland is an island located in the North Atlantic region of Canada. The province is best known for its fishing villages, icebergs and rich tradition of humor and music. Newfoundland also oversees education in the nearby region of Labrador, which is a vast territory reaching up into the Arctic. To apply for a teaching certificate in Newfoundland, visit the province's Teacher Certification office. You'll need to provide a completed application form and a photocopy of your permanent resident card or work permit in order to apply for a Newfoundland teaching license. Notably, while the province is open to hiring teachers from outside the country, it does state "Applicants who are not Canadian citizens must submit proof of a valid work permit for Canada and a valid Social Insurance Number." This means that you must become a resident prior to going on the job market (employers will not apply for a work visa on your behalf).

Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island (P.E.I.) is Canada's smallest province. It's best known for its red sand beaches, potatoes, and as the home of the fictional character, Anne of Green Gables (a feisty 19th-century heroine). If you're interested in moving to PEI as a teacher, you'll be committing to live and work in a largely rural province. Details on how to apply for a teacher's license in PEI are outlined on the provincial government's website. While the province is open to hiring people born outside of Canada, bear in mind that like all Canadian provinces, in PEI, the provincial government clearly states that "proof of eligibility to work in Canada such as a copy of your Social Insurance Number [the U.S. equivalent to a Social Security Number] card" is required.

Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia is a gorgeous Maritime province located just north of Maine. It's home to one small city, Halifax, and to many smaller towns and rural communities. On the province's teacher licensure page, it is clearly stated that foreign-trained teachers are welcome to apply. However, anyone hoping to pursue this option must meet all the criteria to apply for Initial Teacher Certification in Nova Scotia. Furthermore, "Internationally educated teachers are expected to provide similar documentation and pay the same application fees as Canadian teachers."

New Brunswick

New Brunswick is a province located in the Maritime region of Canada. Most areas of the province of are rural and New Brunswick, located next to the French province of Quebec, is one of the most bilingual regions of Canada. Indeed, most residents speak both English and French and while many of the province's schools operate primarily in one language (either English or French), teachers are generally expected to have a high level of proficiency in both languages. As stated on the New Brunswick Ministry of Education website, "The Minister may issue a teacher's certificate or an interim teacher's certificate to a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada or a person who provides evidence that the person is entitled under the laws of Canada to obtain employment in Canada as a teacher." In other words, if you can prove that you are eligible to work in Canada (e.g., you have a work visa) and you hold a teaching license from a U.S. state, you may apply for a teaching license in New Brunswick.

Quebec

Quebec is Canada's only primarily French-language region, but the differences don't end with language. The education and legal systems in Quebec share more in common with those in France than with those in any other region of Canada. In addition, in terms of public schools, options for English-speaking teachers (even those with a decent working knowledge of French) are limited.

While there is a small English-language school system in the province (primarily located in the Montreal region where many local residents speak both French and English), even if you are working in the English-language system, fluency in French is expected. Also, bear in mind that few children are even eligible to attend English-language schools in Quebec. While residents of other Canadian provinces can choose between an English- and French-language school (regardless of their background), in Quebec, only the children of English-speaking Canadian-born parents who can provide proof that they were educated in English can opt to send their children to an English school. This also means that if you move to Quebec from the United States (or anywhere else in their world), your children will not be permitted to attend an English-language public school.

While Quebec is one of Canada's most culturally interesting provinces and Montreal is a beautiful, diverse and inexpensive city in which to live and work, if you're coming from the United States (even if you are fully fluent in French), finding work in the public system will likely be challenging. Visit McGill University's Faculty of Education's information page for more details on how foreign teachers can obtain teacher licensure in Quebec.

Ontario

Ontario is home to the largest English-language education system in Canada. Whether you're looking for a job in the public or publicly funded (Catholic) system, you'll find many job opportunities. Ontario is also home to the nation's most powerful teachers' union and has some of the highest paid K-12 teachers in North America. A 2015 article in the Toronto Star reported, "In Toronto, elementary teachers currently begin their careers earning $42,283 to $55,404, up to a maximum of $94,707 after 10 years." For postings, follow these approved job links on the Ontario College of Teachers website.

Notably, every teacher working in one of Ontario's publicly funded schools must be a certified member of the Ontario College of Teachers. As stated on their website, the College uses the following four criteria to determine whether or not someone can become a licensed Ontario teacher:

Applicant has completed an acceptable teacher education program (e.g., a B.Ed or MAT);

Applicant has completed an acceptable post-secondary degree of at least three years in length (e.g., a bachelor of arts, science or fine arts from a recognized university) or work experience if applicable;

Applicant has met the College's language proficiency requirements (e.g., fluency in English, French or both languages) and;

Applicant has met the College's Professional suitability requirements (e.g., criminal history check).

The best way to find out if you qualify is to collect the aforementioned evidence and apply to the Ontario College of Teachers for a free 30-minute assessment of your credentials.

Manitoba

Manitoba is located in the Canadian prairies (the province is directly north of North Dakota). It is home to one small city, Winnipeg, and to many small towns and rural farming communities. The northern part of the province is home to many First Nations communities. As stated on the province's Ministry of Education website: "If you hold a valid work visa, you can apply for a Manitoba Provisional Professional Teaching Certificate." For more details, visit the province's Professional Certification for Internationally Educated Teachers information page.

Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan is a sparsely populated province in Canada's prairie region. While home to two small cities (Regina and Saskatoon), most of Saskatchewan's residents live in the province's small towns, villages and rural areas. While some provinces offer a free assessment of foreign credentials, in Saskatchewan, foreign applicants must pay a $420 fee. Notably, the province relies on the World Education Services (WES) to assess foreign credentials, so you must be prepared to have all your transcripts sent to the WES from the institution at which you completed your degree(s). For more information on how to apply for a teaching license in Saskatchewan if you're a foreign trained and certified teacher visit the province's Ministry of Education website.

Alberta

Alberta is a province in Western Canada that is best known for its oil fields, gorgeous mountains and rodeo culture. Compared to most places in Canada, Alberta is considered socially and economically conservative. Simply put, most Texans would have an easier time living in Alberta than in any other Canadian province or territory. Prospects for foreign-trained teachers are outlined on the Alberta Education website. A few key things to know before heading to Alberta are outlined below.

First, in order to teach in Alberta you must meet the following criteria:

Have a minimum of sixteen years of schooling (including four years of university);

Hold a recognized degree that includes a pre-service teacher preparation program from an institution that has been approved by the Minister of Education;

Have at least 48 semester hour credits (1 and 3/5 years) in professional teacher education courses throughout your degree; and

Have a minimum of 10 weeks in supervised student teaching at the elementary or secondary school level.

Additional qualifications for elementary teachers include 3 semester hour credits in Canadian Studies, 3 semester hour credits in mathematics, 3 semester hour credits in science, and 6 semester hour credits in English/French literature and composition. Additional qualifications for secondary teachers include a minimum of 24 semester hour credits in one's teachable subject area, and 6 semester hour credits in English/French literature and composition.

In Alberta, there's a strong feeling that not all degrees are equal. The province's licensure program states denominational or doctrinal courses, self-directed teacher preparation programs, distance delivered teacher preparation programs, alternative certification programs (e.g., Teach for America or American Board) and school-based or employment-based teacher training programs may not be accepted. In other words, if you're coming from the United States and completed an alternative certification program, don't assume it will be accepted in Alberta.

British Columbia

British Columbia (B.C.) is a stunning province known for its warm climate, many miles of ocean coastline, and mountains. It is also home to Vancouver and Victoria-the only Canadian cities where one can reasonably expect to see little or no snow year round and even expect to encounter the first spring flowers by February. However, if you're a U.S. teacher looking to live in Canada's best climate, there are a few things you should know in advance.

The province issues teaching licenses for public school teachers, as well as independent school teachers. The province also issues special licenses to teachers of First Nations languages. If you are a U.S. certified teacher, you'll be expected to meet all the same criteria as any B.C. trained and educated teacher (e.g., to hold a bachelor's degree and an education degree, demonstrate proficiency in English or English and French, and demonstrate "fitness to teach"). For details, visit the British Columbia Ministry of Education's Eligibility Requirements for International Graduates website.

The Northern Territories: Yukon Territory, Northwest Territories & Nunavut

Canada is home to three northern territories. These Arctic territories are where many of Canada's Northern Cree and Inuit people live. Teaching opportunities in the far north are limited and in many cases, fluency in an indigenous language is required or highly desired. For more information on teacher licensure in Canada's northern territories, visit the following resources:

In addition to traditional routes to licensure, recently, a Teach for Canada program (modeled on the Teach for America program) was launched to help bring teachers into understaffed Northern schools. In this case, qualified candidates are able to enter the classroom with a bachelor's degree and three-week preparation program; additional courses are completed while the candidates work full-time in a school. However, the program has limited spaces and bear in mind that if accepted, one should be prepared to work in an isolated community (many placements are in First Nations communities that are only accessible by plane and may be largely inaccessible at certain times of the year).

Teaching at the College and University Levels

The Structure of the Canadian College and University System

In Canada, a college refers to an institution focused on technical training. While some Canadian colleges do offer four-year degrees, the college designation suggests that the institution is more concerned with training than scholarship. Indeed, in Canada, even institutions that resemble U.S. liberal arts colleges are categorized as universities (e.g., Trent University, Acadia University and Mount Allison University function as liberal arts colleges and share much in common with institutions like Bard College but are described as "primarily undergraduate universities"). By contrast, "comprehensive universities" (e.g., Simon Fraser University) are somewhat larger institutions with a wide range of graduate programs and "research universities" (e.g., the University of Toronto or University of Montreal) are home to undergraduate and graduate schools, as well as schools of medicine, law and engineering. If you want to learn more about Canada's universities and their reputations, the best place to start is with MacLeans Magazine's annual university ranking.

Job Prospects for Postsecondary Educators in Canada

Compared to the K-12 sector, there are far fewer jobs available at the college and university level. In early November 2016, just under 500 positions were posted on the University Affairs website, which is the nation's primary source of higher education job postings. Indeed, every year, thousands of Canadian scholars and researchers move to the United States and elsewhere for work-related reasons. In Canada, this is known as the "brain drain." However, this doesn't mean that U.S. postsecondary educators are never hired in Canada. Indeed, at some of Canada's most prestigious universities (e.g., the University of Toronto, McGill University and in the University of Montreal), a high percentage of faculty come from the United States or from other countries, including France.

Restrictions on the Hiring of Foreign Scholars

There is one important caveat that U.S. scholars should keep in mind before they go on the Canadian academic job market. Although Canadian colleges and universities hire hundreds of U.S. citizens every year (and they have always done so), in order to finalize a hire, search committees must provide evidence that a foreign hire is necessary.

From 1981 to 2001, academic jobs had to be advertised in Canada before they could be advertised in the United States or elsewhere. In 2001, Employment and Skills Development Canada (ESDC) revised its policies and procedures regarding recruitment of foreign academics. Today, a "Canadians first" policy remains in place but universities can recruit abroad simultaneously. Nevertheless, Canadian search committees must still justify all foreign hires. The University of Toronto, for example, offers the following guidelines to faculty serving on hiring committees: "If a non-Canadian is being recommended for the position, reasons should be given why each of the top three Canadians was not selected. Please note that, if a non-Canadian candidate accepts the offer, Service Canada regulations require you to fill out a Foreign Academic Recruitment Summary form, which asks for the reason the top three Canadians were not chosen for the position, regardless of whether or not they were shortlisted."

What does this mean for U.S. job applicants? While it certainly does not mean Canadian jobs are unavailable, it does mean that they must be exceptional candidates. A degree from a prestigious institution and a strong publishing or research track record are required. In addition, since Canadian scholars have access to many funding opportunities (e.g., SSHRC or NSERC grants), hiring committees are often especially eager to find candidates with exceptional funding histories and/or evidence that they are the type of scholar who will be able to apply for and obtain large research awards soon after being hired. These faculty awards are used to hire graduate students who often rely heavily on research positions to support their graduate studies. As publicly funded institutions, these awards also help funnel additional government money into the institution.

Conclusion

While some educators (namely, outstanding researchers seeking university-level appointments) fall into a special category and can expect to have their visa sponsored by their employer, this is not the case for most K-12 school teachers. Indeed, if you're a K-12 school educator you'll need to first acquire a visa to live and work in Canada and then go on the job market. While there are multiple routes one can take to acquire permanent resident status in Canada, as in the United States, some routes are faster (e.g., marrying a Canadian citizen). Of course, don't assume that if you marry a Canadian citizen that you will automatically be granted permanent resident status. Canadian immigration officials carry out extensive research on all applicants and have been known to deport individuals who attempt to apply under false pretenses. For details, visit Canada's Citizenship and Immigration website.

Resources
Teachers Unions (for each province and territory) Other Resources

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Teach in Canada: A Guide for U.S. Teachers - ToBecomeaTeacher.org

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Dr. Cait Etherington Dr. Etherington has taught at the K-12 and postsecondary levels in the United States and Canada. She has also taught and mentored pre-service teachers in both countries. Cait is the senior education consultant for ToBecomeATeacher.org. Post-election, many Americans, including many teachers, have been wondering whether or not they can simply move north of the border to teach in Canada.

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They are fee-based, and parents must apply. There are withdrawal conditions in the contract.  The impact would be that students able to enroll in private schools are usually the wealthier children, pulling resources from public schools.