Education Pathfinder

International Links (6)

European Commission: Education and Training
http://ec.europa.eu/education/index_en.html
News - http://ec.europa.eu/education/news/what/index_en.html 
Reports - http://ec.europa.eu/education/doc/reports/index_en.html

The European Union’s education website’s best asset is a comprehensive list of the latest news regarding education in the E.U.  Also includes contact information, press releases, and reports and studies on European education.  The site has an impressive EU-Canada section that discusses specifically the partnerships and policies between the E.U. and Canada when it comes to education, which will prove invaluable to journalists looking to compare and contrast education throughout the world.

Education International
http://www.ei-ie.org/en/index.php
Resource Library - http://data.ei-ie.org/Contents/Contents.asp?
Articles - http://www.ei-ie.org/en/article/
Research - http://data.ei-ie.org/Contents/Contents.asp?

Representing more than 30 million teachers and education workers in almost 170 countries, EI is a plethora of holistic data that blends information on topics like professional ethics with issues like inclusive learning, peace education, gender and AIDS. With articles, publications, and a resource library, this is a wonderful source for contextualizing education into broader issues and topics.

The Journal of Education Leadership and Policy
http://journals.sfu.ca/ijepl/index.php/ijepl

This website is an electronic journal dedicated to international educational policy and leadership, with work that goes through a peer-review process.  Subjects are related to a variety of disciplines and educational settings, as well as governmental policy initiatives since 2006. Sample articles include such topics as job satisfaction amongst Nigerian teachers and the rebuilding Afghanistan’s education system.

U.S. Department of Education
www.ed.gov
Press Room - http://www.ed.gov/news/landing.jhtml?src=gu

The United States Department of Education’s website provides the latest news and hottest topics regarding education in the U.S.  It is a government website, and as a result there is a positive slant to the site, but it is still a valuable tool for journalists, with both a press room and publications sections and a state-by-state list of contacts.

UNESCO - the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
http://portal.unesco.org/education/en/ev.php-URL_ID=48712&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html
Statistics - http://www.uis.unesco.org/ev_en.php?URL_ID=3753&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201
Toolkits - http://portal.unesco.org/education/en/ev.php-URL_ID=49335&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html
Databases - http://portal.unesco.org/education/en/ev.php-URL_ID=48799&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html
Education Journals - http://portal.unesco.org/education/en/ev.php-URL_ID=49706&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html

With a wonderful collection of publications, statistics, and academic journals, UNESCO is a great source for international education information at a number of different schooling levels. Its databases are impressive, with country profiles and dossiers, and are also a great place to find other educational references and recent reports. Also noteworthy is an up-to-date news section.

World Education Services
http://www.wes.org

A not-for-profit organization that provides credential evaluation for students, immigrants, overseas recruiters, academic institutions and licensing boards. Users who register can access the site’s databases, which grant access to grade conversion for higher education in more than 120 countries, country education profiles.

National Links (11)

Aboriginal Canada Portal – Education
http://www.aboriginalcanada.gc.ca/acp/site.nsf/en/ao28010.html
Indian & Northern Affairs Canada, links:  http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/edu/index-eng.asp
List of schools - http://www.aboriginalcanada.gc.ca/acp/site.nsf/en/ao20440.html

Created through a partnership between the Canadian government and the aboriginal community, this portal provides education information directly tailored for aboriginal peoples. With lists of schools (from elementary to higher education), resources for teachers, financial education and training, the site supplies users with a uniquely aboriginal perspective towards learning.

Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada
www.aucc.ca
Media Room - http://www.aucc.ca/mediaroom/index_e.html

The AUCC represents 92 Canadian colleges and universities.  This site provides two valuable resources for journalists: an extensive media room and a publications and resources page that includes everything from fact sheets to a telephone directory for Canadian universities.  The media room includes press releases, quick facts, searchable databases and contact information for the AUCC’s media relations department. 

Canada Web Directory – Education
http://dirs.educationcanada.com/cat/174056/

A web portal containing links directing users to 14 links that reporters will find highly relevant. With links guiding users to lists of Canadian schools, ESL in Canada, educational resources and Canadian databases (that users can access for a price), this umbrella site is a good starting point for general overviews of education in the country.

Canadian Home-Based Learning Page
http://www.flora.org/homeschool-ca/index.html

A helpful website with comprehensive information concerning home-schooling resources, events, support and laws for each of Canada’s 13 provinces and territories.   Other options include e-lists, groups, message boards and live chats for home-schooling parents, but the level of use in these areas is limited.

Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials
http://www.cicic.ca/en/index.aspx
Foreign credential recognition fact sheets - http://www.cicic.ca/en/page.aspx?sortcode=2.17

A unit of the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada, the CICIC website is good source on Canadian and international credentials. The website provides information on studying and working in Canada, as well as education both within the country and abroad.  With fact sheets on foreign credential assessment and reports that talk about refugee qualifications, the webpage may be useful for users in a country with as high an immigrant population as Canada.

Canadian Safe Schools Network
http://www.canadiansafeschools.com
Resources & Research - http://www.canadiansafeschools.com/programs/overview.htm
Safe schools legislation - http://www.canadiansafeschools.com/programs/further/safeSchools.htm

Self-touted as the primary source for information and comment on youth violence issues of the day, CSSN is a good source for safety issues in Canadian schools. While the network runs its own safety programs, it also amalgamates safety research and has some useful statistics on Ontario elementary schools, with more than 36,000 student respondents.

CanLearn
www.canlearn.ca
On-line Tools - http://www.canlearn.ca/en/about/overview/online_tools/index.shtml

This website provides students and parents with information on saving, planning and paying for education in Canada.  Focusing on the economics of education, it includes links to the National Student Loans Service Centre, a loan repayment calculator and an events calendar.  The site also provides a comprehensive list of online tools pertaining to education and finance in Canada and contact information for students’ assistance offices and financial institutions nationwide.

Council of Ministers of Education, Canada
http://www.cmec.ca
Contact information - http://www.cmec.ca/staff-en.stm
Student assessments - http://www.cmec.ca/pcap/indexe.stm
Research - http://www.cmec.ca/stats/cesc-csce.en.stm

The Council of Ministers of Education (CMEC) was founded in 1967 to support and represent each province and territory as a whole on the national and the international stages.  This bilingual site includes links and detailed contact information for all of the provincial and territorial ministries of education in Canada.  It also provides international & national student assessments, and links to different international education documents, elementary, secondary & post-secondary education sites, plans & reports, and to different governmental language programs.  The site also boasts a fantastic set of links to education-related research papers, with jurisdiction and school-level noted, under the GERN (Government Education Research Network) tab. Topics include aboriginal education, accessibility, demographics, early-childhood education, graduate studies, finance, assessment, indicators, school safety, students at risk, student health, technology and innovation, teacher education, and human resources.

Listings Canada – Education
http://listingsca.com/Education/

The Listings Canada education web portal has an abundance of websites that users can navigate to explore education through different categories. Listings are sorted both by province and territory, as well as by such sub-categories as special education, tutors, religious and distance education, and student loans and scholarships. Users should note that what they gain in abundance may be lost in specificity, as not every website will be as relevant as others.

Statistics Canada – Education
http://www.statcan.ca/english/edu/edstat.htm
Community Profile Search - http://www12.statcan.ca/english/profil01/CP01/Index.cfm?Lang=E
Surveys - http://www.statcan.ca/english/edu/resan.htm
Education in Canada - http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census01/products/highlight/Education/

The country’s best source for statistics, Statistics Canada, has an excellent site for education.  Here, one can find census information that deals with education, training and literacy.  With surveys, statistics and conducts research and analysis, the site is an excellent starting point for journalists seeking numerical information. From the page, users can search community profiles that includes information on schooling and highest level of education (this information is currently only available for 2001 data, though the 2006 data will eventually be updated as well). The Education in Canada section contains information on school attendance and level of educational attainment.

Study Canada
www.studycanada.ca

In partnership with the Canadian Education Centre (CEC), this site provides information on educational institutions in Canada, from colleges and universities to summer camps and language schools.  Citizens from countries around the world can use this site to explore their educational options in Canada and what the requirements are to live and study here.  The site also includes links to dozens of school boards and schools, information about specific programs, an overview of the Canadian education system and scholarship information.

Alberta (2)

Alberta Education
www.education.alberta.ca
News - http://www.education.alberta.ca/department/news/current.aspx
Current Initiatives - http://www.education.alberta.ca/department/ipr.aspx

This comprehensive government website is a useful tool for journalists who want to explore Alberta’s education system.  It includes links to recent news, the office of the education minister, publications and current provincial education initiatives.  Also available on the site are statistics and policy and legislation relating to education in Alberta.  Journalists can research the variety of schools in the province and locate particular schools and their contact information.

University of Calgary - Faculty of Education
www.educ.ucalgary.ca
Research - http://education.ucalgary.ca/dean/htdocs/pages/item.php?id=27

The University of Calgary’s faculty of education website is a good resource for journalists who want to explore the current news and research on education in Alberta.  The site also includes faculty profiles including experts in everything from applied psychology and educational leadership to teacher preparation and educational contexts.  Links to the school’s education centres and institutes (including the Centre for Gifted Education and the Centre for Leadership in Learning) are also featured.

British Columbia (3)

Achieve BC
www.achievebc.ca
Tools and Resources - http://education.ucalgary.ca/dean/htdocs/pages/item.php?id=27

Also a government site, Achieve BC has a database that includes all of the 1,625 public schools in the province.  The site also provides information on alternative schools, aboriginal and French immersion programs, and pre-school.  There is also a link to FISA (The Federation of Independent School Associations), a group of independent schools in the province that are not owned and operated by the province.  Achieve BC is a good resource for journalists who want to explore the diversity of educational programs in British Columbia.

British Columbia Ministry of Education
www.gov.bc.ca/bced
Media Room - http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/news/

This government site provides information on the provincial curriculum and a variety of British Columbia’s educational initiatives, including provincial exams and healthy schools.  The site features a media room that provides journalists with news releases, an events calendar, and contact information for ministry-related media inquiries.  It also includes references for data on class sizes, funding, French immersion, students with special needs, and other education-related issues.

UBC Library
www.library.ubc.ca/edlib
Research Tools - http://www.library.ubc.ca/edlib/research/rs.html
Statistics - http://www.library.ubc.ca/edlib/research/statistics.html

The University of British Columbia’s education library website includes curriculum guides, lesson plans, recommended texts and resources, research tools and statistics.  A valuable tool for journalists included in the site is a comprehensive list of education contacts both within the province and across Canada.  The page also includes a link to the school’s Faculty of Education and its staff members, who are experts on various aspects of education.

Manitoba (6)

Manitoba Association of School Superintendents
http://www.mass.mb.ca

A good website for education-related publications, papers and articles, albeit from a bureaucratic standpoint, concerning topics such as rural education. A calendar lists relevant conferences and events.

Manitoba Council for International Education
http://www.mcie.ca/about.html

An umbrella organization of groups that have international study programs in Manitoba. The site purports to be a forum for sharing information about international education as well as facilitate relationships and marketing ventures amongst its members. The partisan site promotes international study in Manitoba and offers a list of organizations that provide that educational service.

Manitoba Education, Citizenship and Youth
http://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/
Publications - http://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/abedu/publications.html
Policy & Planning - http://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/policy/index.html
Safe & Caring Schools – http://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/safe_schools/index.html

A comprehensive site for the Manitoba educational system with information on the kindergarten to grade 12 school program. The site is complemented by information regarding aboriginal education, assessment and evaluation tests, policy and publications, curriculum and distance learning.  Also available are student and professional learning resources, library information and a list of schools in Manitoba. Also present is a group of educational links for Manitoba education pertaining to an array of disciplines, projects and service areas.  Worthy of mention is the “Safe and Caring Schools” section of the site, which contains information regarding safe schools (legislation, organizations and initiatives) as well as a bully awareness video challenge.

MB4Youth
http://web2.gov.mb.ca/mb4youth
Innovative high school programs - http://web2.gov.mb.ca/mb4youth/doSearch.php?areaID=205&language=en

A web portal for youth of information regarding 200 services and programs offered by the government of Manitoba, this site also includes education information. The way in which the information is presented is obviously geared for a youth audience, but its lists of Manitoba’s universities, colleges, post-secondary programs and vocational opportunities may be of use to a more general audience. A short list of financial support programs are also profiled, as are educational programs for a range of ages. The site also contains an interesting sketch of unique programs offered at a number of Manitoban high-schools. 

Province of Manitoba – Education
http://www.gov.mb.ca/labour/immigrate/settlement/education.html

The website’s map for those settling in Manitoba includes an education section. Here, one can find guidance on elementary and secondary education, academic upgrading, post-secondary education and adult English as an additional language. The site also directs newcomers students in kindergarten to grade 12 to an information packet called “The Handbook for International Students: An Overview of Education in Manitoba.”

Towards an Understanding: Rural Education in Manitoba
http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/custom/portlets/recordDetails/detailmini.jsp?_nfpb=true&_&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=ED332847&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=eric_accno&accno=ED332847

A 24-page academic paper about current and historical rural education in Manitoba, paying specific attention to the importance of education to rural residents, the decline of agricultural activity and changes in demographics, the needs of the community and the role and responsibilities of rural schools, issues of funding, statistics for training and post-secondary education since 1960, and problems with teacher turnover.

New Brunswick (3)

District Education Councils of New Brunswick
www.decnb.ca
Resource Centre - http://www.decnb.ca/emain.asp?147
Links - http://www.decnb.ca/emain.asp?39

District Education Councils, who are made up of volunteers, were first created in the province in 2001.  Their website includes a list of members, links to the various school districts and contact information for the program administrator.  A good resource for journalists who want an alternative, non-government expert on education in the province.

New Brunswick Department of Education
www.nbed.nb.ca
Publications - http://www.gnb.ca/0000/pub-e.asp
News - http://www.gnb.ca/cnb/cnbnews/department-e.asp?ID=20
Education Pathfinder - http://www.gnb.ca/0000/links-e.asp

New Brunswick’s Department of Education website is the most comprehensive resource for information on education in the province.  It includes a directory of staff, services, and contact information as well as the latest news, publications and policies.  The links section of the webpage is an education pathfinder in itself, with links to provincial, national and international education sites.

New Brunswick Public Schools
www.nbps.k12.nj.us

This website outlines in detail the public education system in the province of New Brunswick. It provides links to schools (including an adult learning school and an alternative high school), information on curriculum and testing, board of education meeting agendas and minutes, and current construction projects within the public school system.  Also includes a detailed district phone list with hundreds of phone numbers of education staff members, including the superintendent and local psychologists.

Newfoundland and Labrador (3)

Christian Home Educators of Newfoundland and Labrador (CHENL)
www.chenl.org
News and Events - http://www.chenl.org/news_events/

The CHENL is an organization that provides support for home educators in Newfoundland and Labrador.  This website includes links to news and events, detailed contact information including a telephone number, and an FAQ section that provides answers to some basic questions about home-based education.

Education – Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
www.gov.nl.ca/edu
Links - http://www.ed.gov.nl.ca/edu/links.htm
Education News Archive - http://www.releases.gov.nl.ca/releases/deptinfo/edu_yr.htm

The government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s education website includes detailed information on all levels of education in the province, including early childhood education and adult learning.  There are also easy-to-find links to the minister’s office, news releases, publications, and a telephone directory.  The directory includes links to a variety of schools, from native schools and hospital schools to the Newfoundland School for the Deaf.  This site is an excellent resource for journalists who need to find out more about education in Newfoundland and Labrador.

K-12 Internet On-ramp
www.k12.nf.ca
List of Schools - http://www.k12.nf.ca/school.php

This site provides an organized list of many of the province’s schools, along with quick links to each of the school’s websites.  Visitors can also search listings for private and alternative schools.  A good resource for journalists looking to contact a particular school or school district quickly.

Northwest Territories (3)

Northwest Territories - Education, Culture and Employment
http://www.ece.gov.nt.ca/
Publications - http://www.ece.gov.nt.ca/Publications/indexPublications.htm
List of schools - http://www.ece.gov.nt.ca/Schools_inthe_NWT/indexSchools.htm

A breadth of educational knowledge for matters concerning the Northwest Territories that span a variety of levels, from pre-school to post-secondary learning, this site covers topics such as assessment and evaluation, curriculum, adult literacy and childcare providers.  The website also incorporates culture and heritage and provides links to administrative aspects such as information networks, management services and planning and policy. Though news releases are moderately old, its list of schools is relatively up to date.

NWT Teacher Induction
http://www.newteachersnwt.ca/education_boards.html
Culture-based education - http://www.newteachersnwt.ca/culture_based_education.html
Inclusive schooling - http://www.newteachersnwt.ca/professional_advice2.html#sec2

An induction program for beginner teachers to help facilitate the new teacher’s transition into the school and their understanding of the culture and community with which they will be working.  There are professional advice sections that detail aspects and tips for creating positive classroom environments, creating teaching materials and student evaluation, as well as advice for the first day of school and for planning your arrival into the community. Finally, the site outlines the expectations involved with cultural-based education and provides a checklist for teachers in cross-cultural schools.

Universities and Colleges in Nunavut, NWT, Yukon
http://u101.com/colleges/Nunavut_NWT_Yukon/

This site offers links to several of the territories’ institutions of higher learning, including Aurora College, University of the Arctic and Yukon College.

Nova Scotia (3)

Government of Nova Scotia – Education
www.ednet.ns.ca
Contacts and Related Links – http://www.ednet.ns.ca/index.php?sid=261797574&t=sub_pages&cat=3

The government of Nova Scotia’s official education website provides information on all levels of learning in the province, including adult education and apprenticeship and skill training.  It also provides links to the latest education news in the province, as well as a detailed list of contacts.  A media room can be found on the website’s homepage, which links journalists with the department of education’s communications office, the latest news releases, and related statistical information.

Nova Scotia: Canada’s Education Province
www.novascotiaeducation.com

This website provides a comprehensive look at education in Nova Scotia.  From the history of education in the province to the economic benefits of going to school in the province, the site provides access to a variety of information. Links to Nova Scotia’s universities, community colleges, high schools, and private language schools are also available.

Nova Scotia – Education: Come to Learn
www.novascotialife.com/education
Nova Scotia Pathfinder on Education - http://www.novascotialife.com/node/48

This website includes articles and blogs about education in Nova Scotia, but its most valuable resource is a comprehensive list of more than 60 websites (a Nova Scotia pathfinder on education) with topics ranging from international credentials, student loans and comparing the costs of universities to finding schools, alternative education and employment in the education field.

Nunavut (3)

Bilingual Education Strategy for Nunavut:  2004-2008
http://www.tunngavik.com/publications/education-training/bilingual-education-strategy-en.pdf

A government strategy by the territory’s department of education is a good backgrounder on bilingual education in Nunavut in terms of community planning, accountability and curriculum.

Department of Nunavut – Education
http://www.gov.nu.ca/education/eng/index.htm
Community Access Program - http://www.gov.nu.ca/education/eng/cap/index.htm
Multi-lingual publications - http://www.gov.nu.ca/education/eng/pubdoc/index.htm

Available in several languages, this governmental webpage contains general information regarding the school system in Nunavut. There are sections for students, parents, teachers, early childhood education, programs and initiatives, curriculum, and adult learning.  The site also proffers insight on the Community Access Program, an initiative to get public Internet access, as well as a selection of income-support programs.

Nunavut Arctic College
http://www.nac.nu.ca/

Nunavut's only post-secondary institute, its basic website details the college’s programs and provides information concerning admission and registration, and financial and student services. Like most post-secondary institutions there are different sections for students and staff.

Ontario (9)

Canada Connects on eLearning and Education
http://www.canadaconnects.ca/education/main/

An online magazine touting national stories of eLearning and distance education.  Article topics include rural and northern education, online training for disabled adults and a number of pages concerning on distance and online medical education.