4 PhDs named to K-12 education task force, to implement findings by 2018 school year

Four academics holding PhDsin education have been appointed to the province's new education task force.

Premier Dwight Ball, alongside Education Minister Dale Kirby, made an announcementTuesday morning that the team hadappointed a chairperson and threeadditional members.

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The task force will examine the province'skindergarten to Grade 12 system with anaim to improve student outcomes.

"We are confident (this team)will assist us in our goal of developing recommendations and an education plan that will guide and support 21stcentury learning education opportunities for the students of Newfoundland and Labrador," Ball said.

The team will be chaired by Dr. Alice Collins, who waspresident ofthe Liberal district association for St. John's East.

The selections were not made by the Liberal government, but rather by the public service commission, who put forward four names for government approval.

Meet the team

• Dr. Alice Collins, chairperson
  • Professor emeritus and former dean of education at Memorial
  • Former president of Canadian Association of Deans of Education
  • President of several national teaching associations
  • Worked previouslywith education department and Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers' Association
• Dr. David Philpott, member
  • 15 years in public education, joined Memorial's education facultyin 2000
  • Certified psychotherapist
  • Held several positions in special education, including 25-year clinical practice in child mental health and assessment
• Dr. Marian Fushell, member
  • Instructor at Memorial'seducation faculty
  • Former assistant deputy minister with education department
  • Expertise in program evaluation and design
  • "Extensive experience" in k-12 system
• Dr. Margaret Wakeham, member
  • Career educator as teacher, vice-principal and principal
  • Research into 21stcentury learning and leadership
  • Worked as k-12 curriculum developer

The task force has been instructed to report back by 2017, with an aim to implement policies by 2018.

"We have to look at educational outcomes in all of their complexity," Collins said."It's been a long time since we put a microscope on the breadth and depth of education in this province."

"I look forward to working with my colleagues in providing a report to government which will indeed provide a path forward."