A 2019 study, backed by Stats Canada and Canadian employers, revealed alarming gaps in students’ academic skills. This is a major issue because universities expect students to already have these skills, and don’t teach them. Consequently, these skill deficiencies persist throughout university and into the workplace.
A summary of the findings are as follows:
- Unfortunately, many university-based instructors find that a good number of their students are weak in terms of key academic skills, such as analysis and research.
- Instructors’ assessments are similar to those of some prominent Canadian employers. The latter have lamented the absence of important skills, such as writing ability, among the graduates they hire. This somewhat negative characterization of Canadian graduates has been verified by studies conducted by, among other agencies, Statistics Canada. It finds a surprisingly low level of literacy and numeracy among a sizable proportion of Canadians with degrees.
- The skill questions focused on abilities in writing, taking tests, analysis, time and group management, research, giving presentations, and elementary numeracy.
- Overall, approximately 49% of the sample lacked the skills considered essential to academic success.
- After pooling the results of the five surveys, we found that only 44% of survey participants could be classified as functionally prepared to do well in their university studies. An almost equal percentage (41%) were identified as at-risk.
- Of those functional, only 35% expected to achieve an A in their studies (despite having achieved A’s to enter university).
At Willowbrook Heights, we seek to combat these holes in education by doubling the time spent in English and Math courses. In so doing, we ensure our students have math basics memorized before moving into advanced math concepts and allow our students time to repeatedly work with concepts before moving on.
For English, this means we have the time secured to implement very robust curriculums focused on logic, identifying fallacies, structure and style of writing and the persuasive argument – which includes analysis, debate and presentation skills.
We have a unique careers program that teaches research skills.
Lastly, we implement a cross-curricular approach and therefore these much-needed skills are further nurtured in other academic subjects ensuring students have plenty of time to hone their skills prior to graduation.
It is our goal to have strong, well-rounded students who can think well, speak well and reason well.
For English, this means we have the time secured to implement very robust curriculums focused on logic, identifying fallacies, structure and style of writing and the persuasive argument – which includes analysis, debate and presentation skills.
We have a unique careers program that teaches research skills.
Lastly, we implement a cross-curricular approach and therefore these much-needed skills are further nurtured in other academic subjects ensuring students have plenty of time to hone their skills prior to graduation.
It is our goal to have strong, well-rounded students who can think well, speak well and reason well.
