Perceptions of teachers towards COVID appropriate behaviors for school children in coastal South India

COVID appropriate behavioral measures need to be followed once school reopens. School teachers being in the forefront could substantiate the feasibility of suggested safety measures. This study aimed to assess teachers’ perceptions towards COVID appropriate behaviors for children with school reopening and compare their mean scores between public versus private schools and across school boards. We conducted an observational school-based study of teachers over two months. Perceptions were scored using a five-point Likert symmetric agree to disagree scale. Results were expressed as proportions and analyzed using an independent sample t-test. Of the 547 teachers surveyed, most (> 90%) agreed to the suggested social distancing and hygiene measures. There was a significant difference in perception scores between private versus public schools and across boards regarding i) reducing the academic syllabus, ii) adopting a cloud-based system to integrate online-offline learning, and iii) conducting meetings online. In addition, measures such as i) teaching classes on alternate days with a limited number of children, ii) arranging benches/desks to maintain six feet distance between students, iii) dealing with psychological stress by counselors, and iv) arrangement with local hospitals for medical services were significant statistically across school boards. To conclude, most schoolteachers agreed with the need for social distancing and hygiene measures for children. There was a significant difference in perceptions between public versus private schools and across boards regarding academic syllabus, integration of online-offline student learning, number of children per class, the timing of classes, student seating arrangement, and medical/psychological guidance availability.

On leadership: When activists speak with sound and fury

School board meetings have become increasingly contentious in recent months, but, as Josh Starr explains, the tactics activists are using are not new. During his career as a district leader, he saw parents and other members of the public approach school boards with constant demands that their particular concerns receive attention. When these issues are on the fringe or outside the board’s purview, yet activists engage in increasingly outrageous behavior, leaders develop the habit of tuning out public voices, which serves no one.

Revisiting the Progressive Education Debate: Ontario Schooling in the 1950s

This paper explores the debate over progressive education in Ontario pedagogy during the 1950s and expands upon the work of previous scholars who argue that schooling in the 1950s was neither strictly traditional nor progressive but rather a blend of the two approaches. This study expands upon previous research by looking at various school boards in the province. Drawing upon original research from provincial and school board archives, as well as professional education journals, I conclude that although traditionalism was a common approach in Ontario education, the reality was that the 1950s were not as conservative as some scholars have argued, and that there was more nuance in pedagogy, with pockets of progressive experimentation throughout the province.

Backtalk: School boards and superintendents should work in concert

In response to a column by Joshua Starr about how superintendents act as buffers between the school district and the community, Rachel S. White and Mark Lineburg suggest that school board members must also serve a buffering function. They encourage school board members and superintendents to work in concert when making decisions and communicating those decisions to the community. Specifically, they stress the importance of centering students in their decision making and of creating a shared language about the decisions they have made.

Financial Literacy Education in Ontario: An Exploratory Study of Elementary Teachers’ Perceptions, Attitudes, and Practices

Politicians are pushing school boards to do more to ensure students leave school with the financial literacy skills they will need to navigate an increasingly complex financial marketplace. Financial literacy education must start early to achieve this goal, yet there has been very little Canadian research on financial literacy education at the elementary level. This exploratory study used an anonymous, online survey to gain a preliminary understanding of full-time Ontario elementary teachers’ perceptions, attitudes, and practices with respect to financial literacy education. Respondents overwhelmingly favour teaching financial literacy in elementary school. Almost half of respondents currently incorporate financial literacy into their classroom practice. These teachers rely primarily on free, online resources. With respect to barriers to teaching financial literacy, respondents cited the lack of an appropriate curriculum and lack of support from schools and school boards. Respondents identified professional development as the main type of support they would like to see schools and school boards provide to support them in teaching financial literacy going forward. Keywords: financial literacy, financial education, elementary teachers

An investigation into a role for municipal planners in decisions pertaining to the future of surplus schools

In addition to facilitating the education of children, school buildings and their surrounding footprint offer a wide range of community benefits. Consequently, when student enrolment falls and these buildings are slated for closure, the public benefits that these facilities provide are lost to the surrounding neighbourhood. Currently in Ontario, the mandate for school boards when closing surplus schools appears to be detached from that of the corresponding municipality. This MRP explores what is preventing these two entities from working together presently, and subsequently hypothesizes the role of a legislated partnership between municipalities and school boards when decisions are being made about the future of these sites. Not only would a more collaborative relationship between municipalities and school boards be beneficial in evaluating the potential for joint or alternative uses for school sites, but it would also afford an opportunity for municipal planners to study the intangible benefits of a school and the impact of closures on Official Plan policy objectives. The potential role for municipal planners in the school closure decision-making process will therefore be central to the findings of this paper.