Journal of Educational Thought turns 50

Ask Ian Winchester and he will tell you that 1967 was a very good year.  That year, Canada celebrated its centenary, Montreal hosted Expo 67, the Toronto Maple Leafs won their last Stanley Cup and the Journal of Educational Thought was launched at the newly independent University of Calgary.

For 50 years, the journal has published articles that explore speculative, critical and historical research on all aspects of education.  And while the journal continues to evolve with the times, Winchester, current editor and Werklund School of Education professor, says it has never lost sight of its original goal.

“By and large JET has been true to its beginnings. The journal provides an outlet for the discussion of educational ideas, drawing specifically upon philosophical, social and historical insights, but is receptive to other approaches both theoretical and practical.”

Winchester adds that what set JET apart from the start is this willingness to engage with a variety of approaches to knowledge.  “JET was designed to be in contrast to its sister periodical The Alberta Journal of Educational Research published out of our sister university the University of Alberta, a journal that was strongly inclined to scientific approaches and to empirical research at that time.”

Although the journal billed itself as international in scope, it was not until the 1990s that this aspiration was fully realized. “Until the early 90s submissions came from the United States, the British Isles and occasionally Australia, but today, articles can be from practically anywhere in the world.”

Winchester became editor in 1997 and has continued to expand upon the work of founding editor, and then Dean of the Faculty of Education, H.S. Baker.   

“Over the years the referees and the editor with the help of the editorial board have tried to make sure that discussion of both the timeless educational issues and the issues of the day were always encouraged in the journal.”

One example of a seemingly timeless issue is the question of funding. Winchester notes that as early as 1968, JET addressed education vouchers. Also known as school vouchers, this system allows students to use public funds to pay the costs of attending a private school.

“The voucher idea is really connected with the private school movement in the United States which, likely unconstitutionally, wanted public funding for religious schools as a general rule. The principle of the separation of church and state does make the voucher system somewhat problematic.”

Winchester adds that, while charter and publicly funded private schools are a feature of Alberta education, vouchers have not gained broad support within the province.  

“The closest thing we might have at the moment is the rise of the home schooling movement which is certainly constitutional here.  The province will help home schoolers with extraordinary costs in teaching their own children. This could, I suppose, be construed as a voucher system to a minor degree.” 

When asked why the journal has enjoyed such longevity, Winchester says that though JET is an academic journal, it aims to be readable by anyone interested in education. He is also quick to acknowledge the importance of external support.

“University libraries have done their best to continue subscriptions to long standing journals like JET.”

Vice Provost and University Librarian Tom Hickerson believes Winchester and his collaborators have done great work with JET over the years.

“It is an extraordinary accomplishment that the Journal of Educational Thought has published as an independent journal of provocative ideas and commentary on educational issues for 50 years now.  Congratulations to Ian Winchester and all those who have contributed to this outstanding achievement.”

In celebration of the 50th anniversary, a double issue on “Wellness in the Academy” guest edited by Jennifer Lock, Gabrielle Wilcox and Yvonne Kjorlien was published.  As for future plans, Winchester and his team are in the process of introducing an online version of the journal.

Despite the decades and changes, Winchester affirms that after 50 years one thing remains the same.

“Educational ideas are still paramount.”

Learn more on the Journal of Educational Thought website.