The Secondary Schools Report Card for British Columbia, published March 6, 1998 by The Fraser Institute, provides the first objective, quantifiable measurement of the performance of the province's public and independent secondary schools.

By using such performance indicators as exam marks and graduation rates, this ground-breaking study measures the extent to which each school offers effective teaching and counselling.

The year-long study was conducted by education researcher Peter Cowley and Stephen Easton, an economics professor at Simon Fraser University and author of The Fraser Institute book Education in Canada. The authors analyzed BC education ministry data to prepare five-year report cards for two-thirds of British Columbia's schools.

This study provides two vital services. First, it allows parents and students to compare a school's present and past performances. Improvement in the performance of each individual school from year to year is, or should be, the primary motivation for a system of regular measurement.

The study also improves consumer awareness. Now, parents and students can make rational choices when considering education alternatives. As well as parents and students, this study will better inform school administrators, taxpayers, prospective employers, and other groups with a stake in British Columbia's $4 billion education system.

Parents and students may use this information to question and challenge their school principals and teachers to continually improve their schools, and the schools may use these statistics as a base line to develop a plan each year for improving the school where it is shown to be weak. An honest, open appraisal of school performance will encourage improvement across the board. As the authors wrote, "Knowing where we stand, school by school, the citizens of the province will no longer have to rely on faith—they will have the facts."

["A Secondary Schools Report Card for British Columbia" by Peter Cowley, Stephen T. Easton and Michael Walker is available from The Fraser Institute for $25.00, including shipping, handling, and GST. Please call the Institute, (604) 688-0221, ext. 546 to place an order.]