The Centre for Research on Educational and Community Services (CRECS) collaborates in research, evaluation, and training with organizations in the educational, social service, and health sectors to improve social programs and policies for citizens, especially those facing social exclusion.
This presentation addresses the (in)coherence of Canadian refugee education policies with UNHCR’s refugee education strategy, Refugee Education 2030, which aims to have refugees achieving parity with their non-refugee peers in primary and secondary education by 2030. The findings stem from the analysis of 155 policy documents from all provinces and territories in Canada using a method developed in response to learnings from refugee education policy and praxis since 1985 that combines policy coherence, policy attributes, and policy behaviour theories. Contextualized through an evidence-based assessment of the needs of refugee claimant and refugee children and youth across Canada, the findings indicate that many policies are exemplary in their coherence with Refugee Education 2030, but some policy regimes are characterized by significant gaps that could have major implications on the learning and success of refugee children and youth. Recommendations for the revision and development of policies across Canada will also be discussed.
evaluation,community services,educational services