Failing Our Kids: How We Are Ruining Our Public Schools

Edward L. Edmonds is a professor of education at the University of
Prince Edward Island and an honorary chief of the Lennox Island
Mi’kmaq of Prince Edward Island.

Charles Ungerleider’s experiences with the Canadian educational system
began with his early schooling in a local public school. As an adult, he
served as Deputy Minister of Education in British Columbia. In this
well-argued book, he takes a critical look at education practices across
Canada, discussing what works and what doesn’t work and making
suggestions for improvement. Among other topics, he examines the funding
and administration of public schools; the clash between traditional and
progressive approaches to education; the role of teachers and
teachers’ unions; the issues of accountability and school choice; and
the influence of video games, television, and the Internet on students.

In his final chapter, Ungerleider lays it on the line, Canada, he says,
is a “fragile” nation. Social cohesion is prerequisite, and it all
begins in our public schools. Failing Our Kids should be read by anyone
who is interested or involved in Canada’s public school system.