Guiding Question
How similar and different are the K-12 public education systems in Canada and the U.S.A.? How are the curriculum (e.g., mathematics) and school counseling programs implemented in both countries? What are some opportunities for collaboration between the K-12 students of both countries?
Reflection
As in the U.S., the education system in Canada is considered a local responsibility. Local provinces (like states in the U.S.) have primary oversight over their education systems. The school year in Canada starts in early September (around Labour Day) and ends in June, with a total of 190 school days except in Quebec, which has 180 days. Most states in the U.S., including Texas, set the school year at 180 days. Compulsory education in Canada typically starts at age five (Kindergarten) or six (Grade one) until age 16. In Manitoba, Ontario, and New Brunswick, the compulsory age is until 18 or after graduating high school. Typically in the U.S., children must start school by age six and remain enrolled until they are at least 16. In Texas, the compulsory age of required school attendance is 6-19.
There are four types of public schools in Canada: English secular, English Catholic, French secular, and French Catholic. French and English schools can be found in every province. Most French schools are located in Quebec. In the U.S., public schools are traditional public schools, magnet schools, charter schools, and virtual schools or home schools. Like in the U.S. with its bilingual programs, Canada has immersion programs and bilingual schools such as French immersion and extended French programs, bilingual schools (most often English and French), and other bilingual programs (e.g., English/Chinese and English/Cree in Western Canada). Both countries offer programs for students with special needs.
Grade levels in all Canadian provinces, excluding Quebec, include Early Childhood: Pre-K (ages 3-5), Elementary: Kindergarten (ages 5-6) and Grades 1-6 (ages 6-12), Junior High/Middle School: Grades 7-9 (ages 12-15), and High School: Grades 10-12 (ages 15-18). Quebec grade levels are Pre-school/préscolaire (under age 5), Kindergarten/maternelle (5-6), Grade school/école primaire: Grades 1-6 (ages 6-12), and High School/école secondaire: Grades 7-11 (ages 12-17). Quebec has a unique program called CEGEP, a two-year pre-college university program (ages 17-19) through the College of General and Vocation Education. Students wishing to receive post-secondary education must first complete a CEGEP program for at least one year. They then can proceed to a bachelor's degree program in Quebec that requires three years. In the U.S., typical grade levels are Elementary School: Kindergarten-Grade 5 (ages 5-10), Middle School: Grades 6-8 (ages 11-13), and High School: Grades 9-12 (ages 14-18). In Texas, high school students have an option to enroll in Early College High School, which allows them to earn an associate degree while completing their high school.
Further, the mathematics curriculum in Canada is heavily patterned after the contents of the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS). It emphasizes the use of mathematical processes, such as communicating, connecting, problem-solving, reasoning, representing or visualizing, and using technology. Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) skills are also integrated into the mathematics curriculum like in Ontario. In Texas, mathematical process standards include: applying mathematics to real-life problems, using a problem-solving model, selecting tools, communicating mathematical ideas, creating/using representations, analyzing mathematical relationships, and displaying/explaining/justifying mathematical ideas. Most states in the U.S. adopt the Common Core, while Texas has its own standards called TEKS. SEL, being a component of guidance and counseling, is not integrated into the mathematics curriculum in the U.S.
Moreover, like in the U.S., Canadian schools have counselors. Canadian school counselors provide guidance services but not necessarily counseling. They guide students with their academic progress, credits, and college and career planning. They implement a guidance curriculum to teach SEL, conduct individual planning for college, and maintain support with stakeholders. In Texas, school counselors comply with the required four service delivery components: guidance curriculum, responsive services, individual planning, and system support. Texas school counselors conduct individual and group counseling, while in Canada, counseling is administered only by social workers or psychologists.
Lastly, my network with many teachers I have met provides me with opportunities for possible student collaboration. Since I am now a school counselor, I can focus on counseling components, such as SEL and careers. I see a potential to initiate a virtual student cultural exchange where students from both countries share their cultures and local career opportunities and discuss and solve global problems as they apply their global competence, SDG awareness, global education knowledge, and SEL skills.