The Toronto Star recently published a series of articles on problems faced in the First Nation schools of northern Ontario. In particular, it indicated that reading materials are not culturally relevant. This brief survey seeks to determine the satisfaction of Education Directors with reading materials for primary students in these schools and the materials they are now using. It will also ask if they are aware of the Circle Program, a culturally relevant ESL program developed 20 years ago and, if not, whether they would like information on the program. Although no longer listed on the Ontario Trillium list, formerly Circular 14, First Nation schools are free to use it. I am also interested to learn about locally developed ESL materials. Quite simply, if northern First Nation schools don’t use culturally relevant ESL materials because they don’t know they are available, this study will provide the schools with important information. If they are developing their own ESL materials, we need to know this. Faculties of Education are increasingly aware of the need to prepare their graduates to teach in these communities.

Click here for Participant Information

Click here to email John or call him at (705) 474-3461 x-4130

Click here to contact Fitzhenry & Whiteside, publishers of the Circle Program.

Click here (or the button below) for Preliminary Findings.