University of Alberta Edmonton, Canada 29 November 1996

Teaching the teachers: New Edmonton Public teachers doing a good job

School board official says they can't explain research base related to their work, however

The Edmonton Public School Board expects its new teachers to have all the skills the Conference Board of Canada has elaborated for employees, to have a sound knowledge of the curriculum, have all the methodologies necessary to teach that curriculum and understand and be able to work with the age level they're teaching.

"This seems like a tall order with high expectations and indeed it is," says Shirley Stiles, Assistant to the Superintendent of Edmonton Public School Board. "But we are not disappointed by our new teachers; they do an excellent job."

Stiles told Senate members that graduates of the University's education program lack the ability to frame everything that they do within the context of improving student achievement, find it extremely challenging to deal with the issue of inclusion of special needs students unless they have taken a special education course and are somewhat naive when it comes to dealing with the issue of school safety and how to be part of the team that ensures student safety.

Stiles said the new teachers do not appear to be able to talk comfortably about the research base that relates to their work-yet our publics are asking us more and more in education and we welcome the question: Why are you using that strategy? What is it based on?

The former principal pointed out that in the past three years, Edmonton Public has hired over 100 graduates of the U of A. "As our two institutions work together, I have been delighted with the dialogue and cooperation we have with every part of the Faculty of Education."

Stiles said it's important that the University improve its ability to provide programs for teachers and administrators who want to upgrade. "Within the current system, it has been more attractive for these potential students to consider other opportunities, for example, San Diego University, Nova out of Florida and the University of Oregon," she said, noting that negotiations are going on to improve the situation.

Stiles congratulated the University on its improved registration system and its expanded scholarship program for incoming students. "This year, over 90 percent of our top academic students are currently attending the U of A."

Explaining some of the EPSB initiatives to foster critical thinking skills, Stiles said when these students arrive at the U of A they find that most of their assessment is multiple choice. "This improves in year three and four but they feel that providing learned knowledge back to their professors seems to be the most important part of assessment."

Students' Union president Garett Poston said the University is setting the tone on the issue, but a lot of faculty still only require students to regurgitate facts, and do not ask them to apply that new knowledge.

The University also has to find more ways of recognizing the students' volunteerism and service to the community, said Stiles. "I feel that this is an area that the University should not be overlooking, especially in light of President Fraser's desired outcomes which state that he wants U of A students to be citizens and teachers for tomorrow."

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