The Hall-Dennis Report, officially titled Living and Learning: The Report of the Provincial Committee on Aims and Objectives of Education in the Schools of Ontario, called for broad reforms to Ontario education, to empower teachers and the larger community, and put students' needs and dignity at the centre of education. The report was commissioned by Ontario Minister of EducationBill Davis in 1965, delivered to him in 1968, and multiple attempts were made to implement it through the 1970s. The common name for the report comes from its two co-chairman: Emmett Hall, a judge of the Supreme Court of Canada, and L.A. Dennis, a former school principal. The report cautioned that form can overtake function, and that new educational programs must be constantly reappraised. Large-scale experiments were done in the 1970s, including team teaching and open classrooms. The teaching of history became more student-centred, with more awareness of searching for truth. There was also an increased sensitivity to marginalized peoples.
Sections
The report is divided into the following sections:
Statements Related to Aims by Recent Leaders in Education
The Learning Program
Various Curriculum Considerations
Special Learning Situations
The Dimensions of the Problem
The World of Teaching
Organizing for Learning
Fundamental Issues in Ontario Education
A Parting Word
Truth Shall Make You Free
This section introduces the need for reform and the guiding principles of the committee, and begins making recommendations.
Need for reform
"Today, on every side, however, there is heard a growing demand for a fresh look at education in Ontario. The Committee was told of inflexible programs, outdated curricula, unrealistic regulations, regimented organization, and mistaken aims of education. We heard from alienated students, frustrated teachers, irate parents, and concerned educators. Many public organizations and private individuals have told us of their growing discontent and lack of confidence in a school system which, in their opinion, has become outmoded and is failing those it exists to serve."
"Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality"
"Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children."
Recommendations
There are many recommendations throughout this section, including:
"greater public involvement, a greater partnership between the home and school, between the community and the school."
"the establishment of an autonomous, non-political advisory body of citizens, representative of the various interests of the people in Ontario"
"The lock-step structure of past times must give way... natural curiosity and initiative must be recognized and developed"
"The fixed positions of pupil and teacher...must give way to a more relaxed teacher-pupil relationship which will encourage discussion, inquiry, and experimentation, and enhance the dignity of the individual."
"the school must be aware of the health and emotional needs of pupils."
"Educators ought to employ every conceivable device and means that society can make available, in a narrow, didactic manner and with groups of children all presumed to be learning the same thing at the same time."
