As Ontario moves to make attendance and participation part of high school students' final marks, 91亚色 research offers context for what rising absenteeism may signal and why there may be no simple fix.

The study, co-authored by Faculty of Education's Robert Brown, adjunct professor, and Gillian Parekh, associate professor and Canada Research Chair in Inclusion, Disability and Education, along with collaborators from the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) and Wilfrid Laurier University, uses the 2011-12 academic year as a baseline to track absenteeism trends in TDSB schools through 2023-24.

One of the study's key findings complicates the common assumption that rising absenteeism is mainly a post-COVID issue. While student absence rates surged dramatically during and after the pandemic, the researchers found that roughly one-third of this increase was already underway before the pandemic.

"COVID took existing trends and put them on steroids," says Brown. "This isn't something just caused by COVID."

The study finds that absenteeism roughly doubled over the 12-year period, with increases evident across grades. Brown says attendance tends to be relatively high in kindergarten, stable through much of elementary school, then rises in senior elementary grades before accelerating in high school. More recent 2023-24 data show some decline in absence rates among early and mid-elementary students, but rates continued to climb across all secondary grades.

Read the full article in the June 3, 2026 issue of Yfile

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On May 21, the Faculty of Education community came together for its annual End-of-Year Celebration. This year's event centred on the theme of arts and scholarship.

The event featured a variety of engaging presentations exploring the many intersections between art and education 鈥� from art in education and the art of teaching, to research and scholarship inspired by creative practice. Faculty members and presenters shared innovative ideas and thoughtful reflections that highlighted the important role of the arts in teaching, learning, and research.

As part of the celebration, Dean Robert Savage presented two awards recognizing excellence in research and teaching within the Faculty. The event served as both an informative and celebratory occasion, marking a positive conclusion to another successful academic year.

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Shaping the Future of Education

Advancing equity, innovation, and global impact through teaching, research, and community partnerships

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Faculty of Education ranks in the top 250 globally for the Times Higher Education World University Ranking for the Education Studies Subject, 2026

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Faculty of Education ranks in the top 200 globally of the 2025 QS World University Ranking for the Education and Training Subject

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The Faculty of Education ranks among the top 11 schools in Canada for the Times Higher Education World University Ranking by Subject, 2026

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Research Funding
$16 million

Dean's Message

Leaders supporting future leaders in education

At 91亚色's Faculty of Education, we are committed to shaping the future of education through excellence in teaching, research, and community engagement. Guided by our shared values of social justice, equity, diversity, inclusion, and decolonization, we continue to create meaningful opportunities for learning, collaboration, and positive change.

This Impact Report highlights the collective achievements of our students, alumni, faculty, staff, and partners. Together, we are advancing knowledge, preparing future educators and leaders, strengthening communities, and contributing to educational innovation locally and globally.

As we reflect on our progress, we remain focused on building a more equitable and sustainable future through education. Thank you to everyone who contributes to our shared vision and helps extend the impact of our work.

Robert Savage
Dean, Faculty of Education

Key Highlights

Celebrating achievements that drive our mission forward

• Strategic Plan 2023-2027
• 91亚色 Education Alumni Network (YUEAN) named 2025 Network of the Year
• Investment in Education Pays Off at 91亚色
• New Look at Learning
• Leaders Supporting Future Leaders in Education Video Series

Our Impact

Discover how we鈥檙e driving meaningful impact across education, research and communities鈥搇ocally and globally

Advancing equity, diversity, inclusion, and decolonization 鈥� Driving systemic change in schools and communities

• 91亚色 U celebrates Canadian changemaker Jean Augustine, full funding of endowed Chair in her name

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• Waaban program continues to turn Indigenous knowledges into teaching credentials

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• From crisis to prevention: 91亚色 U leads shift in approach to homelessness

Preparing Future Educators 鈥� Empowering the next generation of teachers, leaders and changemakers

• Faculty of Education responding to need for careers in skilled trades

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• Empowering FSL Educators Through Collaboration with Camerise: The OER Creation Workshop at Glendon Campus

Research that Matters 鈥� Generating knowledge that informs, practice, policy and real-world transformation in education

• Study led by 91亚色 U tracks decade-long rise in high school absenteeism

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• 91亚色 research challenges how healthy aging is defined

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• 91亚色 research results in guide to support children鈥檚 museum educators

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• 91亚色 U scholar supports national study advancing Black health

Teaching and Learning 鈥� Transforming learning through innovative teaching, research informed practice, and student-centred education

• Brampton couple takes community work to next level through 91亚色 U鈥檚 BEd in Technological Education program

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• PhD student brings Indigenous food to Ontario hospital menus

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• NEW Custom Certificate Program for Educators Outside of Ontario

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• 91亚色鈥檚 Y2 Innovators program builds confidence, community for Black students

Alumni Impact 鈥� Celebrating graduates who are shaping education and communities locally and around the world

• Fighting food insecurity from afar

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• Education Alumni Recognized in 91亚色鈥檚 2026 Top 30 Under 30

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• Revitalized alumni network leads to new mentorship program

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Global Impact 鈥� Driving positive change worldwide

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• Faculty of Education bringing leadership, consulting to the world

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A  led by 91亚色 follows Class of '73 high school graduates over the span of five decades in The Story of a Generation, a book that offers powerful insights on the baby boomer generation.

Culminating in a new book titled , the research marks the longest-running Canadian generational study of its kind, following nearly 50 years in the lives of a cohort of high school students who graduated in 1973. 

The project originated with Paul Anisef, professor emeritus at 91亚色鈥檚 Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies who began with a survey of high school students to help the Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities understand and project post-secondary enrolment.

鈥淚 didn鈥檛 have in my mind at all that this would become a long-standing longitudinal study,鈥� says Anisef. 鈥淚t started as a ministry-sponsored survey of high school students, and one thing led to another.鈥� 

Encouraged by colleagues after the initial survey, Anisef returned repeatedly to the same group of students 鈥� just under 2,500 members of the class of 1973 鈥� surveying and interviewing them in seven waves, from adolescence through midlife and into their early to mid-'60s. 

The final phase, conducted between 2019 and 2021, captured their reflections as many approached retirement, offering a rare, lifespan perspective on Canadians. 

The newly released book is co-authored along with 91亚色 Faculty of Education professors Paul Axelrod and Carl James, as well as 91亚色 PhD student Erika McDonald, and includes contributions from Wolfgang Lehmann, Karen Robson and Erica Fae Thomson. It鈥檚 a follow-up to an earlier volume, Opportunity and Uncertainty: Life Course Experiences of the Class of 鈥�73 (2000). 

Read the full story in the January 16, 2026 issue of Yfile

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Participants will explore the current climate in education, learn which qualifications and professional development opportunities are in demand, gain access to career advancement supports, and better understand graduate and continuing education pathways.

The event features two rounds of breakout sessions, allowing participants to select the conversations most relevant to their career goals and stage.

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Don Galbraith Pre-Service Teacher Award of Excellence winners: Lauren Cunningham, Anthony Pereira and Elvina Patapau (From left to right)

Congratulations to Lauren, Anthony, and Elvina on this well-deserved recognition. Their achievements reflect the high calibre of 91亚色鈥檚 Bachelor of Education program and its commitment to preparing future educators who will inspire and engage learners in science education across Ontario.

Pre-service students are encouraged to explore the many subject organisations related to their teaching discipline. These organisations often offer valuable scholarships, awards, and professional development opportunities designed to support and recognise future educators. A list of subject organisations can be found on the Education Resource Centre (ERC) website, an excellent place to start building connections with your future professional community.

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There aren鈥檛 a lot of awards for people in public education. 

So, when 91亚色鈥檚 Emily Burgis, who has spent most of her career in public education with the 91亚色 Region District School Board as a teacher, guidance counsellor and curriculum consultant, learned she won an award from the Canadian Society for Education through Art (CSEA), she was thrilled. 

鈥淭eachers don鈥檛 often get awards, they usually only see rewards by seeing the impact they have on students,鈥� she says. 鈥淭o be recognized by an organization outside the system 鈥� it鈥檚 a real honour.鈥� 

Burgis is a visiting professor in the Faculty of Education at 91亚色鈥檚 Markham and Keele campuses where she applies her knowledge and experience as a teacher, with a focus on education that is grounded in equity and inclusion. 

Read the full article in the November 5, 2025 issue of Yfile.

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Second-year Bachelor of Education student, Natasha Reodica talks about her experience this past summer in Freiburg, Germany.

This past summer, 8 Bachelor of Education students took their learning beyond the classroom through 91亚色鈥檚 Summer Exchange to Freiburg, Germany. For four months, they studied at the University of Education (PH Freiburg) alongside students from across Europe, Africa, and Asia, gaining fresh perspectives on teaching and learning.

Living in the heart of the Black Forest, our students immersed themselves in German culture, picked up new languages, and traveled to eight countries during their exchange.

The Summer Exchange to Freiburg is open to 91亚色 BEd students, typically in their first year of the program, and offers university credit courses in English, German, or French. The program blends academic study with cultural immersion, helping teacher candidates build independence, cultural awareness, and global networks. All skills that enhance their future classrooms.

To learn more about eligibility, courses, and application details, visit the Summer Exchange to Freiburg program page.

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91亚色 has stepped up to address the growing demand for qualified technological education teachers, an urgent need identified by the Ontario government.

Since 2017, the university鈥檚 faculty of education has offered the bachelor of education (B.Ed.) in technological education (tech ed) program in 10 broad-based areas, helping to fill the critical shortage that is expected to worsen if left unaddressed.

Passion meets purpose

The B.Ed technological education program equips graduates with the skills and knowledge to teach in high schools across the province. It鈥檚 also designed to encourage trade professionals to combine their passion for their sector with their desire to teach.

This approach is exactly what attracted Camille and Chadwin Bartley to the program. The couple, who have been partners in life and business for nearly two decades, started their post-secondary education for the first time in fall 2024.

鈥淢y decision to become an educator stems from a desire to nurture and encourage young minds to pursue their passions fearlessly. I believe teachers play a pivotal role in shaping the future, and I am eager to take on this responsibility,鈥� said Camille, who has been a hairstylist from the age of 16. She was also instrumental in inspiring Chadwin to pick up the clippers and learn the craft 15 years ago.

A key admission requirement, whether applying for the concurrent or consecutive program, the candidate must have work experience 鈥� along with industry licensing where applicable 鈥� in one of these areas: communication technology, computer technology, construction technology, green industries, hairstyling and aesthetics, health care, hospitality and tourism, manufacturing technology, technological design or transportation technology.

While the concurrent B.Ed. is offered to 91亚色 students in a related degree program, the consecutive B.Ed. is open to those like Camille and Chadwin, who meet one of four eligibility criteria in a technology field aligned with the program.

Learning for impactful teaching

Having had the opportunity to work with local high schools and connect with school administrators who encouraged them to pursue teaching, the couple took the leap and joined 91亚色.

鈥淥ur teacher education will be impactful for students, and it鈥檒l be beneficial for our lives as well,鈥� said Chadwin.

He and Camille are already well-established in the industry, with a clientele that includes celebrities like Toronto Raptors player RJ Barrett. However, their passion is to promote barbering and hairstyling to youth as a skilled trade and a pathway to successful careers.

鈥淚 was in the music industry, managing artists, and I thought I could become Camille鈥檚 business manager. But it wasn鈥檛 practical, since she ended up working more than I did,鈥� recalled Chadwin. Wanting to be an equal partner in every sense, he decided to become a hairstylist, gaining hands-on experience in the beauty industry.

Chadwin became an apprentice with Camille鈥檚 employer and eventually became a licensed hairstylist and barber.

鈥淭he rest is history. I bought my first clippers for about $300 鈥� eleven months later, we opened up our first salon in downtown Brampton and we鈥檝e been working together ever since.鈥�

In 2018, the couple launched a charitable organization called the Bartley Skills Development Program. Through the charity, they have taught youth across the Greater Toronto Area barbering and hairstyling.

鈥淲e started noticing that a lot of students are coming wanting to learn how to do hairdressing and barbering, but it wasn鈥檛 provided in their local high schools,鈥� noted Chadwin. 鈥淏ecause I became successful through the skilled trade, I鈥檓 now able to impart those skills to those who are interested in learning.鈥�

Confidence in classroom teaching

Camille has a similar view.

鈥淲hen I鈥檓 speaking to students and I see a young person driven towards the beauty industry, it really excites me to pass on the knowledge that I have,鈥� she said. 鈥淏ecause I know how impactful it鈥檚 been in my life, and I know what it can do for someone that takes it seriously.鈥�

For Camille and Chadwin, enrolling in the B.Ed technological education program is taking their community work to the next level, as formal teacher education will help them teach larger groups of students in a classroom setting with confidence.

鈥淭hough I know hairdressing 鈥� and I know it well 鈥� I need to learn the aspects of learning how to teach; that is, getting down to the level of a high school student and meeting them where they鈥檙e at. We needed this formal training to take the skills that we already have to the next level.鈥�

They are excited about graduating next spring, crossing the convocation stage as their three young children watch their parents achieve what may be their greatest accomplishment yet.

Interested in the B.Ed technological education program?

Register for one of the following information sessions:

For more information please visit www.yorku.ca/edu/bed-tech.

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