Teaching in Alberta vs. Quebec (Part 1 – The School System)
Recently I moved to Montreal from Edmonton. I taught junior high and high school in Alberta, and then taught high school here in Montreal. When encountering something new (Montreal schooling), the natural thing is to compare and contrast it with the old or known (Alberta schooling), and this is what I did. I wanted to share these thoughts with you.
First of all the whole school system in Quebec is different from that of Alberta. In Alberta, children first go to Elementary School (Kindergarten to grade 6), then Junior High School (grade 7 to 9) and then High School (grade 10 to 12), after which the student chooses to go to college, university, or work. In Quebec, children go to Primary School (Kindergarten to grade 6), then to Secondary School (secondary 1 to 5 – grade 7 to 11), and then they choose a college for two years (the so called CEGEP - Collège d'enseignement général et professionnel), or work (only after college, the student can go to a four year university program).
This in itself creates a different set of circumstances for the students. In Alberta, in grades eight and nine, the students are full of “teenage” hormones and sure of themselves (as they were already in Junior High for a year or two) – the oldest of the kids at school, the “kings” of the school. In Quebec, a grade eight or nine student is still full of the hormones, in full swing of puberty, but this time, they are still the little kids of the school, they still have no say in school life, they have to bow down to the older kids.
The school setup also creates other different dynamics in the two provinces. While in Alberta, the junior high school focuses on junior high type issues, in Quebec, the secondary school must diversify their activities to satisfy the whole school population. On one hand, the students in Alberta have a more focused approach, but in Quebec, the younger students get to see older students’ behaviors, issues and vice versa. This setup creates a very different school environment and somewhat different students in the two provinces (I will discuss the student differences at later date).
It’s interesting how the basic setup of the school system has such an impact on the environment and the attitudes of students. I can’t comment on which system is better, as there are pluses and minuses to both, but the two school systems definitely create different types of students, and ultimately a different general population.
Hope you liked the post. Please do me a favour ...
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Comments
You can't comment on which
on Fri, 02/22/2008 - 18:45
You can't comment on which is better ? You fucked up hypocrit !!!
Of course the Alberta system is better because it's focused on self-determination and student empowerment.
Quebec is all runed down, ruined and creates a sense of hopelessness in students.
What's the point on comparing the two systems if you will not determin which is the best one.
You have been infected by the Quebec disease indeed. Your teacher working conditions and union support are much better than in Alberta where you had to perform and be good to earn your stay.
So of course you won't tell the truth, the Quebec SUCKS !!!
Thank you for the comment,
on Sat, 02/23/2008 - 05:11
Thank you for the comment, and although it has a lot of swear words in it, I think it's worth while for me to respond to it.
I am usually a black and white person. But I rather not slander one system over another, just for the sake of slander. I think it was more productive to show the individual differences and not a general "good" or "bad". If I gave just said: Quebec sucks and Alberta rocks, then I would be stating my own opinion. Since you don't know me, why would you even believe me? Stating the differences, and not placing an opinion on it tells more of an unbias story - you can make your own decisions from my observations (which obviously you have already done so).
Also, I cannot comment on something I know little about. It's like me commenting on a book of which I only read ten pages. I wrote this post only after living in Quebec for a year, and taught in the system for only half a year. I was brought up in Alberta and all I knew was Alberta and the Alberta way of teaching / the Alberta way of schooling. It's true that Alberta outperforms Quebec in most tests in science and math, but not in history for example. Now I teach at a private school (not public as before) in Montreal. I have a broader view of the system. I see my junior high students three times out of the six. In Alberta I saw my students five times out of the six. Isn't that alone a reason for the students in Alberta to outperform their counterparts in Quebec - that they get exposed to science a whole lot more?
Anyway, thanks for the comment.
Hey, I was born having
on Thu, 03/13/2008 - 01:39
Hey,
I was born having alot of Patriotist for my Country and my province. But with dumpheads like you stating that I SUCK all the time is just really annoying by now. HAVE you ever been in a Quebec school system? I'm in it since I'm born. I go to a school in Quebec city, where they teached me to speak TWO LANGUAGES. Did your system did that much.
And just look at the statistics, Quebec is way above Canadian average just like Alberta.
Quebec system is unique and new so of course it may not be perfect by now. But if with all its imperfection can be corrected well I would want to see your face the day they will get solved and we just blast your fucking scores. this could be soon since the reform has already begun.
Quebec is rundowned, In your mind yeah. Toronto is runed down, I know I've lived there, not Quebec. Have you ever came here.
We have our imperfection I mean its normal we are who we are, But at least I can say that I have some bit of fun in my province. No seriously. I've been to Calgary once. You have long hot and booring days. Its just plain at simply boring. MOO MOO
And I want you to come to me and show me the sense of Hopelessness in MY face or anyones else. Quebec city is THE HAPPIEST city in Canada and Montreal isn't far behind
So long fucker.
How about we focus on the
on Tue, 12/14/2010 - 05:12
How about we focus on the content? Having worked and lived in both Quebec and Alberta, the two systems have very large differences. It's like comparing apples and oranges - they've developed around two very different societies. I'd like to take the best of both, but since that's impossible for now, we'll all have to settle for making the best of what you can get. And without the explicatives - since a debate on education would hopefully be literate and diplomatic regardless of the obvious weaknesses in both systems.
Ok I am enraged after
on Mon, 12/08/2008 - 06:01
Ok I am enraged after hearing the comment the 1st Albertan made.
First, great article, with lots of good facts. I just wanted to correct 2 things if I may. Living in Quebec myself, I must say not all high schools have grades 7 to 11 in the same building. In urban / suburban areas it is often divided, at least where I was raised, just outside Montreal.
Also, after cegep, it's a 3yr program, not 4.
Anyway, asides from these little errors, let me add this. I'm in a university in Quebec, which draws students from all over Canada. You may have guessed, that's Bishop's University in Sherbrooke. I'll only add one thing. Those who came straight out of an Ontarian / Albertan / other English Canadian province high school probably have higher partying / slacking off / not caring about school, than do students who did their cegep here in Quebec.
That's all. Thanks.
students who must transit school systems
on Mon, 12/06/2010 - 04:21
While there are differences to the two systems, how do the students cope; how are they channelled, when they have to transfer? My son was born in late October in Montreal. He had to wait for the following year in order to start school due to his birthdate. We are no facing a transfer to Edmonton and my wife fears that he will be again penalized due to the middle school grade differences. I'm sure thousands of other children have gone to and from Alberta and Quebec but it does make me wonder if children are penalized in order to preserve the individual school system order.
I think it is the decision of
on Mon, 12/06/2010 - 21:02
I think it is the decision of the parents in the end. If you persist, you will get your way, and make sure that your son doesn't get "punished" again. I don't know your particular situation, but I've transferred from Poland to Alberta on several occasions, and the system didn't "punish me", but it did with some of my other friends... for instance they had to go to a lower grade because of their lack of English, etc. But as I said, for me it wasn't an issue. It depends on the school and the persistence of the parents. Good luck, Edmonton has a great school system. There is many choices, it's not just a cookie cutter system like it is in other places, so choose wisely with your school.