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Full 2008 SCAL results, context and analysis on the quality, access and mobility of schools (PDF, 483 KB)
Canadians generally indicate that schools are meeting or exceeding their expectations, except with respect to preparing students for work. Canadians with children at home are generally more satisfied with schools than Canadians without children at home, and those born outside of Canada are generally more satisfied than those born in Canada. (See Figure 18 and Figure 20.)
Figure 18: Proportion of Canadians with and without children at home who say elementary and secondary schools are meeting or exceeding their expectations
Source: Canadian Council on Learning. Survey of Canadian Attitudes toward Learning, 2008
Figure 20: Proportion of respondents born in and outside of Canada, who say elementary and secondary schools are meeting or exceeding their expectations
Canadians are strongly in favour of high-school programs that include a component of work experience, such as co-op programs, apprenticeships, work placements, or trade/vocational programs. (See Figure 13.)
Figure 13: Proportion of Canadians who agree or strongly agree that high-school programs that include work experience should be available to all students and help prepare students for post-secondary education and work
Canadians generally indicate that post-secondary institutions are doing a good job, except with respect to providing access to all qualified students. Canadians are particularly concerned about post-secondary access for low-income students.
Canadians believe student loans and financial aid are generally available, but over 80% feel that students have to borrow too much money to pay for their post-secondary educations.
About 40% of Canadian post-secondary students take courses at more than one institution over the course of their studies. One-quarter of these mobile students end up repeating coursework as a result of moving from one institution to another.