Derek J. Allison

Professor Emeritus, Faculty of Education, The University of Western Ontario

Derek J. Allison, B.Ed., M.Ed., Ph.D., is a Professor Emeritus in the Faculty of Education at the University of Western Ontario. Derek began his teaching career in England, before moving to Alberta, where he was a school principal. After completing his graduate work at the University of Alberta, he accepted a position with the faculty of education at the University of Western Ontario. Where he taught social and legal foundations of education for 36 years, and skillfully guided hundreds of graduate students through advanced research and study. He gained acclaim for his teaching, especially his outstanding lectures, and his skill as a mentor and advisor to graduate students. He has an extensive record in research and publication with particular interests in the organization and operation of schools, theories of leadership, and the philosophy of inquiry. He is the recipient of 10 teaching awards and the Distinguished Service Award of the Canadian Association for the Study of Educational Administration.

Recent Research by Derek J. Allison

— Mar 21, 2024
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School Spending and Performance in Canada and Other High-Income Countries

School Spending and Performance in Canada and Other High-Income Countries is a new study that finds higher per-student spending levels are not associated with stronger academic achievement. In fact, among the provinces, Saskatchewan was the highest per-student spender but ranked 8th out of the 10 provinces in scores on the OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). Manitoba was the second highest per-student spender and recorded the lowest PISA scores nationwide. Conversely, British Columbia was the lowest spender per student in Canada and achieved the fourth-highest PISA scores.

— Sep 7, 2022
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What PISA Tell Us about Education in Canada

What International Tests (PISA) Tell Us about Education in Canada finds that despite Canada scoring comparatively well internationally on the latest PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) tests, Canadian scores in all three subjects—reading, math and science—have significantly declined across the country.

— Apr 8, 2021
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Math Performance in Canada

Math Performance in Canada is a new study that finds students across Canada experienced declining results in international math tests from 2003 to 2018. According to PISA data over a recent 15-year period, Canada had the fifth highest score among 37 participant countries in 2003, but Canada’s score dropped to 12th place among the 78 participating jurisdictions in the most recent 2018 assessment.