Tyler Schade Blog #4

        After reading chapter 4 “The Structure of Education in Canada” I found it extremely interesting that in Canada the provinces and territories are responsible for education rather than the federal government (pg. 89). I think that this raises some issues with not every receiving similar education standards country-wide. However it allows for each province to structure and tailor their curriculum to their own needs and focus on areas specific to that province.
        I found the visual representations of flow charts for the structure of education helpful. I was surprised that there were vast differences between the two groups involved in decision making. For the K-12 model there were less levels of decision makers however there was input from teachers, students and parents (pg. 98). This model seems to make sense because these three are at the front line of the education system. These groups should have a strong say in the decision making since they are directly involved in the learning everyday.

        Decision making in Canadian universities follows a different flow pattern. The hierarchy  goes through a vast array of ‘higher ups’ such as presidents, vice presidents, deans and associate deans (pg. 113). Students and professors seemingly have less say because they need to report to a representative and then to a multitude of people in higher power. I believe that it is important that the people in power be in constant communication with the teachers to see what is and isn’t working and have them actually see the education process unfold.

Discussion question: As future teachers do you think it is important to understand the hierarchy of decision making and does it need altering?