Public attitudes towards education in Ontario: Eighth OISE survey

Abstract

This eighth OISE Survey documents more fully than previously the emergence of a "permanent education culture" in Ontario—a multitude of assertions of widespread belief in the importance of educational programs, from cradle to grave and in diverse settings. Much of this growing faith in education appears to be economically motivated. The Ontario public remains divided over some of the educational policies actually required to sustain such permanent education on principles of social equality. Satisfaction with the school system in general has increased somewhat since 1988, with almost half of Ontarians now indicating that they are satisfied with the school system. Small majorities of Ontarians continue to favour increased funding for education in general and for all levels of the formal school system, while larger majorities continue to want increased spending on adult literacy and training programs. A growing majority want to see the provincial share of school funding increase. This survey addresses issues of: satisfaction with the public school system, quality of education, curricular balance, educational funding, early schooling, child care centres in schools, student assessment, education outside schools, cultural institutions, preparation for making educational decisions, preparation and resources for making career decisions, postsecondary access, education and the workplace, employment equity, politics of education, and adult and continuing education.