Canadian Parents Agree (92%) That More Preparation For The Workforce Is Necessary Due To `Global Village'

Toronto, ON - It appears that Canadian parents can agree on one thing - and that is that their children's academic performance is more important today than ever. According to a new poll conducted by Ipsos Reid on behalf of Kumon Canada, nine in ten (92%) parents agree that `in our modern, global village, greater competition means we have to be that much more prepared to enter the workforce'.

• Parents who say their child's academic performance is below the average of their peers (91%) are just as likely as those who say their child's performance is average (93%) or above average (94%) to agree with this statement.

In addition, nearly nine in ten (86%) parents also agree that because of the rise in cost of post-secondary education, it's even more important now for their child to compete for scholarships. Despite this level of concern among parents, however, it is primarily those who say their child's performance is below average that are taking action. Two in three (65%) parents who classify their child's academic performance as `below average' say their child is receiving modified instruction inside the school, or supplemental assistance outside the school.

By contrast, six in ten (60%) parents who say their child's performance is `above average' say their child is not currently receiving any assistance or enrichment, either inside or outside the school. This is somewhat surprising, as two in three (64%) parents who say their child's performance is above average agree that their child needs some assistance in uncovering his or her true potential, and over half (54%) agree that the school system is too inflexible to accommodate the needs of all the children in the classroom.

These are the findings of an Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Kumon Canada from 03/07 to 03/12, 2008. This online survey of 1280 Canadian parents of children aged 6 to 15, inclusive, was conducted via the Ipsos I-Say Online Panel, Ipsos Reid's national online panel. The results are based on a sample where quota sampling and weighting are employed to balance demographics and ensure that the sample's composition reflects that of the actual Canadian population according to Census data. Quota samples with weighting from the Ipsos online panel provide results that are intended to approximate a probability sample. An unweighted probability sample of this size, with a 100% response rate, would have an estimated margin of error of +/- 2.7 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

For more information on this news release, please contact:
Sean Simpson
Research Manager
Ipsos Reid
Public Affairs
(416) 572-4474
[email protected]

About Ipsos Reid
Ipsos Reid is Canada's market intelligence leader, the country's leading provider of public opinion research, and research partner for loyalty and forecasting and modelling insights. With operations in eight cities, Ipsos Reid employs more than 600 research professionals and support staff in Canada. The company has the biggest network of telephone call centres in the country, as well as the largest pre-recruited household and online panels. Ipsos Reid's marketing research and public affairs practices offer the premier suite of research vehicles in Canada, all of which provide clients with actionable and relevant information. Staffed with seasoned research consultants with extensive industry-specific backgrounds, Ipsos Reid offers syndicated information or custom solutions across key sectors of the Canadian economy, including consumer packaged goods, financial services, automotive, retail, and technology & telecommunications. Ipsos Reid is an Ipsos company, a leading global survey-based market research group.

To learn more, please visit www.ipsos.ca.

About Ipsos
Ipsos is a leading global survey-based market research company, owned and managed by research professionals. Ipsos helps interpret, simulate, and anticipate the needs and responses of consumers, customers, and citizens around the world.

Member companies assess market potential and interpret market trends. They develop and build brands. They help clients build long-term relationships with their customers. They test advertising and study audience responses to various media. They measure public opinion around the globe.

Ipsos member companies offer expertise in advertising, customer loyalty, marketing, media, and public affairs research, as well as forecasting, modeling, and consulting. Ipsos has a full line of custom, syndicated, omnibus, panel, and online research products and services, guided by industry experts and bolstered by advanced analytics and methodologies. The company was founded in 1975 and has been publicly traded since 1999.

In 2007, Ipsos generated global revenues of e927.2 million ($1.27 billion U.S.).

Visit www.ipsos.com to learn more about Ipsos offerings and capabilities.

Ipsos, listed on the Eurolist of Euronext - Comp B, is part of SBF 120 and the Mid-100 Index, adheres to the Next Prime segment and is eligible to the Deferred Settlement System. Isin FR0000073298, Reuters ISOS.PA, Bloomberg IPS:FP