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Research Briefs

Association research briefs provide an overview of academic research on a number of important issues in education. Each brief includes background information, key strategic considerations, reference sources and recommendations for further reading. Related talking points have also been posted for ATA members here.

Aggression in Schools

In recent years, the media has paid significant attention to the prevalence and impact of aggression in schools. However, as Santor, Bruckert and McBride (2019) pointed out, “surprisingly, the workplace violence experienced by educators has received limited scholarly attention in Canada”.

Privatization and Public Education Systems

Generally speaking privatization transfers an industry or service from public oversight to private interest. Privatization in education systems has emerged around the world as a neoliberal concept that champions notions of parental choice and personalization of learning.

Vouchers and School Choice

“Across the globe, school vouchers come in many forms, but essentially, a school voucher constitutes a certificate of public funding of a specific amount that parents of students are being offered to use in any school – usually private – of the parents’ choosing” (Sorenson 2017, 3).

Artificial Intelligence and Automation

The term artificial intelligence (AI) was coined in the 1950s and has been described as, in its most basic form, a “system that makes autonomous decisions” (Webb 2019).

Class Size and Composition Matter

Research clearly shows that smaller class sizes allow for higher levels of student engagement, increased time with the curriculum, and more opportunities for teachers to focus on the individual needs and interests of students in the classroom. Read our talking points on class size, here [link to come].

The Efficacy of Full-Day Kindergarten

There has been a growing consensus that Full-day Kindergarten is highly beneficial to early school success, particularly for students who come from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.

Student Mental Wellness

Teachers working in schools and classrooms know that student mental wellness is an important factor in a student’s success in the education system.