Strength through Diversity: Canadian Policies and Promising Practices

Tammy Strong and Kathy Whynot

Education and Early Childhood Development

• Canadian Multiculturalism Policy

• Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

• UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

Canadian Vision: Federal Policy

Canadian Context

• 1 out of 5 people were born in another country • Immigrants represent 20.6% of the total population, the

highest proportion among G8 countries

• More than 200 languages reported as mother tongues

New Brunswick Context

Population growth

from 2011-16 in NB

-0.5%

(Statistics Canada, 2017))

“Despite the different policies in individual provinces, there is a common commitment to an equal chance in school with fairness and equal access” (Cheng & Yan, 2018).

Ontario:

Equity and Inclusive Education in Ontario Schools (2014)

British Columbia:

Diversity Framework (2008)

A Sampling of Provincial/Territorial Policies

A Journey to Inclusive Education

in Canada

Exclusion

Segregation

Integration

Inclusion

Inclusive education means engaging all students:

• students with disabilities (physical, intellectual, learning)

• indigenous/aboriginal students

• culturally and linguistically diverse students

• students from low socio-economic backgrounds

• 2SLGBTQ+ students

• gifted and talented students

Including All Learners

Immigrant Student Achievement and Educational Policy in Canada (2018) outlines that a successful policy response would provide for:

• language support for newcomer learners with limited proficiency in the language of instruction

• quality early childhood education

• highly skilled, well-supported teachers

Cheng and Yan (2018)

• English as an Additional Language high school curricula

• Annual funding for anti-racism education, supports for culturally and linguistically diverse students

• Capacity for Courage grants

• Summer language programs

• Inclusive food insecurity programming

• Mental health promotion and resilience (social emotional learning)

• Global competencies

• Equity Framework

Promising Practices

Including Student Voice

Nothing about us without us

Questions?