Bios
Katie Hyslop
Katie Hyslop moved to Vancouver in September 2008 after graduating from Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador with a degree in student newspaper. To beef up her credentials, she studied journalism at the University of British Columbia, and now holds a graduate degree. With the exception of one summer shuffling between Toronto and her sister's couch in St. John's, she hasn't managed to muster up the desire to leave the west coast yet. When not writing about education and youth for The Tyee Solutions Society, Katie occupies her time writing about poverty and homelessness in British Columbia as news editor of Megaphone Magazine, Vancouver's street paper, or freelancing for other media outlets like OpenFile Vancouver, the CBC, and This Magazine, with the goal of making a living substantial enough to rent a place above ground again some day.
Reporting Beat: Provincial education and youth initiatives
The most important issue in BC today?: Financial inequality, because it encompasses so many problems, including child poverty, homelessness, lack of First Nations treaty agreements, sky-rocketing housing prices, and environmental concerns like the Encana Pipeline, just to name a few.
Twitter: @kehyslop
Stories by Katie Hyslop
BC Child Care Advocates in Geneva to Complain to UN
Will argue today Canada is failing to meet obligations under Rights of the Child convention.
Overhaul BC's Private College Regulator: Critics
Students at traditional medicine college surprised to learn they can't practice, but school denies wrongdoing.
A Tour of Duty in BC's Poverty 'War Zone'
MLA Jagrup Brar's welfare month reveals program's serious failings, but gov't continues to stall.
Funding Boost for BC First Nations Schools Called 'Huge'
New agreement puts funding on par with public schools, but questions of jurisdiction remain.
'Both Sides Have to Move' Says Teachers' Union, Trimming Demands
New offer would cost $300 million more next year. Province sticks to 'net zero.'
Idea #7: 'Place-based' Plans to Conquer Child Poverty
With a neighbourhood-sized social safety net, low-income families could thrive.
Poetry's Power to Connect Young to Old
What happens when a First Nations kid asks an elder 10 questions and writes a poem? A lot.
Schools of the Future, Today
Inside BC classrooms where every student has a laptop or iPad, and the learning is 'child-centred.'
A Final Warning from Canada's Watchdog on Schools
Defunded and soon to close, the Canadian Council on Learning sees nation falling behind on many fronts.
Will 'Living Wage' Prove a Winner this Election?
New West councillor faces opposition for pioneering 'moral' policy as other BC candidates weigh pros and cons.
Tune-Up Tech Education in BC: Teachers
New report says proper trades training requires more funding, improved equipment and smaller class sizes.
Facing Challenges: Young Newcomers to BC
Conference on needs of immigrant and refugee youth shines spotlight on barriers, holes in the system.
A World of First Nations, Learning
Outside BC, how other indigenous people, and other jurisdictions, are building a record of academic success. Last in a series.
Giving Aboriginal Students Words of Their Own
More than a village, it takes a living language to educate a child. Aboriginal educators say BC's government is letting endangered tongues die. Latest in a series on successful First Nations education.
Special Needs Education? Name Your Price
Teachers, government, and parent advocates at odds over how far funding must rise to serve special needs students.
What's a Fair Wage for Teachers?
'Hard-working teachers are underpaid' in BC, says professor who led study. How best to fix that?
Amidst the Big City, an Aboriginal Public School?
Vancouver's school board sees potential in a school designed from curriculum up to appeal to urban First Nations youth. Fourth in a series.
Welcome to Haida High
With a majority Aboriginal population, the Haida Gwaii school district is using their language, heritage and culture to reach and teach their students. Third in a series.
'Most Teachers Don't Know Who First Nations Are'
We all pay when Aboriginal kids aren't given their best chance to learn. Second in a series.
How Chief Atahm Elementary School Became a Success Story
'Develop wisdom, honour the spiritual.' Those principles guide a unique learning approach breaking through low expectations for First Nations achievement. First in a series.
BC Teachers' Strike Adds Twist to Possible Fall Election
Teachers want more pay and funding; government hopes for quick settlement; NDP 'in a tough spot'.
Feds 'Changed All the Rules' for BC Aboriginal School Funding
Money doesn't match promises, say frustrated First Nations education advocates.
'I'm @ the #Riot!' Educating Generation Me
What teachers are telling students about social media and hanging out at crime fests.
How Good Is My Kid's School?
Great Schools Project aims to give parents clearer answer than implied by Fraser Institute rankings.
So What, I'm a Slut
Slutwalk Vancouver, the next step in a controversial women's empowerment movement.
Orange Crush Comes to Surrey
At the Bollywood Ballroom, cheers for New Dem winners Sandhu and Sims -- and the nationwide NDP surge.
Canada at War: Ghost Issue of 2011 Election
Military conflicts in Afghanistan, Libya were no-go zones for politicians, most media. Last in a series about what got ignored.
Biggest Free Trade Deal Since NAFTA, Ghost Issue of 2011 Election
Canada is on verge of pact with Europe affecting farmers, local industries. It's invisible on campaign trail.
When Harper Says 'Simply Not True'... Is It?
Four times Harper flatly stated his debate opponents were just plain wrong. A reader asked us to check it out, so we did.
If You Were to Vote Against Poverty
Which party deserves your nod? The NDP and Liberals have made explicit promises. Conservatives have not.
Where Will Vancouver School Board Find Its Voice Now?
Cutting top communicators could stifle public education debate says former board public relations manager.
Conservatives Set to Sink BC Shipyards, Fears Union
Who gets $35 billion contract could mean life or death of shipbuilding industry in this province, says union.
English as Second Language Programs Swamped: Teachers' Group
Lack of teachers, training, and funding said to be holding ESL learners back.
Special Needs Students Shortchanged Say Parents, Union
There aren't enough qualified teachers to handle rising challenge, according to special ed advocates and BCTF.
How to Design a Building that Restores the Earth
UBC's Centre for Interactive Research on Sustainability aims to set a new North American standard by actually benefitting the environment.
Clinging to Hope in Hazelton
The promise of more jobs glimmers, but the need for family support in BC's poorest town is immediate. Second of two.
Where Struggle Is Hardest for Families
How Hazelton, BC, became the poorest town in the province with the highest family poverty rate. First of two parts.
Does BC Need an Education Commission?
NDP leadership candidate Mike Farnworth says it's time, while campaign rivals, and the teachers union, are lukewarm.
Missed the Bus? At Least You Caught These Poems
To celebrate year 15 of 'Poetry in Transit,' we offer some locally sourced verse you could be reading while riding.
How Green School Buildings Help Children Grow
Students and teachers are more healthy and productive in sustainably-built schools, research shows.
When Christy Clark Ran BC's Schools
On her quest to be premier, Clark lugs baggage from past political battles. What did they teach her?
Victoria School Kids Get $200, Surrey's Only $58
BC's largest school district receives some of the lowest funding for its vulnerable children, and Surrey wants a fair deal.
Idea #6: Harm Reduction Moving Mainstream
Now that the US allows federal funds for needle exchanges, Vancouver's drug user health approach sets a bold example.
Behind the Fight Over Who Runs BC's College of Teachers
Critical report drives to question of how best to maintain the professional independence of province's teachers.
Parents' Pleas Win the Day: No Vancouver Schools to Close
Rather than shut schools to save money, district may expand their uses, including for daycare.
Cutting Up the School Calendar
Four-day weeks? Classes year-round? As some districts mull changes, a look at where it's been tried in BC.
Boost Grade 4 Learning! OK, but How?
Premier Campbell vows all Grade 4 students will achieve at their age level in five years. Educators disagree about where to start.
Where Is BC's Childcare Program?
While government slowly ekes out a public plan for care of three and four-year-olds, advocates weigh in with a plan of their own.
Making It Safe to Be Queer at School
Preventing gay bashing and suicides means changing what's taught in the classroom, say researchers.
As Online Ed Grows in BC, Who's Left Behind?
Distance learning saves province money and can free students' schedules. But some families are more wired than others.
Turning Schools into 'Neighbourhood Learning Hubs'
Schools are the 'original social network,' and now is a good time to expand their community services, say advocates.
When Saving a School, Pushy Parents Are a Help
Teachers, parents worry lack of protests at inner-city school hurt chances of staying open.
Inside the Guerrilla War on Billboards
Urban renegades are blotting out big ads, claiming the law is their friend. Watch them at work.
The 'Double-Whammy' Facing Langley's Schools
Tight provincial spending plus a deficit of at least $13.5 million equal anger, accusations and a tense wait for the auditor's verdict.
Polak: 'I Wanted This Ministry'
Children and Family Minister Mary Polak says she's proud of her record and not looking to change posts any time soon.
BC's Beleaguered Child Protectors
Social workers say bulging caseloads, funding cuts and churn at the top are putting kids at risk.
With Olympics Came New Laws to Sweep up Homeless
Four recent host cities criminalized and removed street dwellers leading up to Games.
- Appeal court upholds ruling on protection of orca habitat
- Foreign takeover score is 14,218 to two calculates Mel Hurtig, who speaks Saturday
- Abbott blames teachers' union, hints at legislation
- Greens exaggerating fracking fears 'to control you': Santorum
- Prime Minister Harper mixes oil with human rights on visit to China
- Civil jury finds former BC premier Vander Zalm guilty of defamation
- Vancouver theatre runs down curtain on section of BC's outdated liquor laws
- BC Premier Clark to replace throne speech with radio appearance
- 'The Kids Are All Right'
- 'Leave Your Shoes On'
- Glaciers, BC Hydro's Melting 'Batteries'
- Frankie Rose Makes Life Tougher for Journalists
- Too Much Energy Used to Mine, Move Bitumen Says BC Firm
- Becoming the Ethical Hunter
- Shadow Workers of the World, Revolt!
- Three Ryan Gosling Pickup Techniques that Don't Work in Real Life
- Could SOPA Pervade Canadian Copyright Law?
- Would You Buy a Used Car from These Libs?
- Shadow Workers of the World, Revolt!
- Economist Calls Gateway Pipeline an Inflationary 'Threat'
- Bill Rees' Last Lecture
- Too Much Energy Used to Mine, Move Bitumen Says BC Firm
- Is Canada Ignoring Signs of a Coming Economic Collapse?
- Harper in China
- How First Nations Are Gearing Up for Legal Battle Against Gateway
- Eleven Oily Questions for Every MP
- Remembering Lloyd Dykk's Wit, Generosity and Superb Prose
- BC Child Care Advocates in Geneva to Complain to UN
- BC, You Love You
- Shadow Workers of the World, Revolt!
- Who Pays Huge Power Bills for Clark's Gas Plants?
- Make It the Canadian Webcasting Corporation
- Harper in China
- When the Prize Is a Chance to Toil on BC's Farms
- Three Ryan Gosling Pickup Techniques that Don't Work in Real Life
- Would You Buy a Used Car from These Libs?
- Time to Zip John Baird's Loose Lips
- Foreign Trade Zones Eyed for Vancouver, Prince Rupert, Prince George
- Board, BC mayors make the case for Vancouver transit audit
- Tensions flare over Vancouver-owned mine in Oaxaca
- Osoyoos Times editor apologizes for comments on RCMP
- BC premier delivers talk show 'throne speech'
- NDP leadership: Thomas Mulcair ahead on first ballot, internal poll suggests
- Sky is the limit for use of mini, unmanned planes
- Prime Minister by day, oil exec by night
- Animal-made 'art' challenges human monopoly on creativity
