Michael Zwaagstra

Senior Fellow, Fraser Institute

Michael Zwaagstra is a public high school teacher and senior fellow of the Fraser Institute. He received his Bachelor of Education and Master of Education from the University of Manitoba and Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Liberty University in Virginia. He is the author of A Sage on the Stage: Common Sense Reflections on Teaching and Learning, and co-author of What’s Wrong with Our Schools and How We Can Fix Them. He is a frequent author of education policy research and newspaper columns across Canada. His research mainly focuses on curricula, teaching instruction and public education. Michael's research and commentary have been featured in radio, television and newspapers across the country. Michael lives with his wife and children in Steinbach, Manitoba. 

Recent Research by Michael Zwaagstra

— Aug 29, 2023
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Education Spending in Public Schools in Canada 2023

Education Spending in Public Schools in Canada, 2023 Edition is a new study that finds annual spending in public schools in Canada increased by $7.8 billion more than was necessary to account for changes in enrolment and inflation between 2012/13 and 2020/21.

— Apr 26, 2023
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Where Our Students Are Educated Measuring Student Enrolment in Canada, 2020

Where Our Students Are Educated: Measuring Student Enrolment in Canada, 2022 is a new study that finds the share of K-12 students enrolled at independent schools across Canada increased in every province over a recent 19-year period, while the share of students enrolled in government schools declined. Nationwide, the share of students enrolled in independent schools in 2019/20 ranged from 13.2 per cent in B.C. to 1.0 per cent in New Brunswick.

— Mar 29, 2022
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The Decline of Standardized Testing in Canada

The Decline of Standardized Testing in Canada finds that the erosion of standardized testing in schools across the country will limit the ability of parents, teachers and principals to measure student performance and the overall health of the education system.