COLUMN: Think Again – All schools should embrace the science of learning

On Oct. 21, I attended an event at Canadian Mennonite University that focused on transforming education through evidence-based instruction.

The event was jointly co-hosted and sponsored by Dyslexia Canada and the University of Winnipeg’s department of mathematics and statistics. Sir Nick Gibb was the keynote speaker.

Gibb served as Minister of State for Schools in England from 2010 to 2012 and from 2014 to 2023. During his tenure, England saw student achievement steadily rise, as measured by international assessments such as the OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA).

Considering that student test scores in other first-world countries such as Canada declined over the same period, it’s important to ask why England’s schools beat the trend. The answer, according to Gibb, is that England’s schools finally embraced the science of learning.

The science of learning includes using phonics in reading instruction rather than the ineffective whole language/three-cueing approach, rewriting math curriculum guides to require the memorization of basic math facts such as the times table, and placing an appropriate emphasis on knowledge acquisition since background knowledge is closely tied to reading comprehension.

Gibb reminded his audience that it’s easy to get sidetracked by secondary issues. His advice to avoid distractions and remain focused on science of learning reforms was something that everyone who wants to improve our schools should keep in mind.

After Gibb’s presentation, we listened to a panel discussion that included Gibb, mathematician John Mighton, La Trobe University School of Education Dean Joanna Barbousas, and educational consultant Anita Archer. Each of these individuals provided helpful context regarding how best to promote the science of learning in schools.

Evergreen School Division Superintendent Scott Hill hosted the panel discussion. Under Hill’s leadership, Evergreen has embraced the science of learning in a huge way.

The results speak for themselves. Reading scores have jumped in Evergreen and teachers are enthusiastic about the successes they are seeing in the classroom. Other school divisions would do well to learn from what Evergreen is doing.

One thing that all panelists stressed is that the science of learning should not be a partisan issue. While Gibb implemented science of learning reforms in a Conservative government, Barbousas noted that some Labour governments at the state level in Australia were embracing the science of learning. Comments made by other panel members made it abundantly clear that while they were critical of progressive teaching methods, this did not make them political conservatives.

As someone who has worked in the public education system for many years, nothing would make me happier than to see political parties of all stripes embrace the science of learning. If Premier Wab Kinew wants to steal these ideas and implement them as part of his government’s education agenda, I would be more than happy to give praise where it is due.

The problem is that Manitoba’s education department is still heavily influenced by education faculties that remain largely under the sway of a progressive ideology that de-emphasizes content knowledge, disparages so-called “rote learning,” and discourage teachers from using direct instruction.

To make matters worse, the near-total abandonment of standardized testing means that we are flying in the dark when it comes to measuring student achievement. In his presentation, Gibb noted that an important reform in England was testing students’ reading and math skills regularly and publishing the results for each school. This is an important accountability tool.

One of the best ways to reduce inequity is to ensure that all students, particularly those from low socioeconomic backgrounds, receive the best education possible. This means embracing the science of learning.

Now is the time to do so.

Michael Zwaagstra is a teacher, former deputy mayor of Steinbach, and the PC candidate for the Steinbach Constituency. He can be reached at mzwaagstra@shaw.ca.