POLICY MONITOR CANADA » Education

Education and Early Childhood Consultation PEI

Admin — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 22:41:59 +0000

A public engagement process is now underway to develop a vision and plan for early learning and child care in Prince Edward Island, says Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Doug Currie.

“Over the past few months, one of government’s major priorities has been to support the smooth transfer of kindergarten to the public education system. Now that most of this planning is in place, we want to turn our attention to early childhood,” said the minister. “Building a stronger and more sustainable early childhood sector in our One Island Community is a major priority of this government. We want to ensure that every child has a good start in life and that every family has good access to high quality child care.”

Kathleen Flanagan has been contracted by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development to facilitate the development of a vision for the early childhood sector and a five-year plan to renew the sector after kindergarten is transferred to the school system. A resident of Prince Edward Island, Ms. Flanagan is recognized across the country for her expertise in early childhood development. She is now researching initiatives in other jurisdictions, conducting key informant interviews with early childhood educators and holding focus groups with parents across the Island.

An online survey has been established to gather input from caregivers of pre-school children; parents expecting their first child; grandparents, aunts, uncles and others who are involved in the lives of pre-school children. The survey respondents are being asked what they think is important for children in their pre-school years. The survey is open until February 19 at www.gov.pe.ca/go/earlychildhoodsurvey.

Maritime University Student Graduation Study

Admin — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 23:52:28 +0000

Maritime student persistence, graduation numbers studied (10/02/03)

FREDERICTON (CNB) – Almost eighty percent of Maritime students remain enrolled at the same university a year after admission, and almost 60 per cent graduate within six years, according to a report released today.

The report, Student Progression within University of First Entry: Persistence and Graduation, by the Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission, also found that three per cent of students who began studies in 2001 were still enrolled six years later and 39 per cent had left the university without completing a degree.

The report does not track the destinations of students who leave their first university, some of whom transfer to another institution to complete their studies. However, 19 per cent of those who left after the first year, returned to the same institution within the next five years.

“Whether these numbers are judged to be high or low will depend on the perspective taken,” said Mireille Duguay, chief executive officer of the Commission. “But we do know that, overall, the patterns observed in the report point to many similarities with those recorded in other studies conducted in the U.S. and Canada. That is, Maritime students are persisting and graduating at the same rates as those in other regions.”

The report also shows that persistence and graduation patterns vary with discipline, gender and region of origin. For example, students enrolled in applied or professional programs were the most likely to persist (84 per cent after one year) and to graduate (65 per cent) within six years, while those enrolled in humanities, arts and social sciences were less likely to persist (73 per cent after one year) and to graduate (52 per cent) within six years.

Women (61 per cent) were more likely to have graduated within six years than men (53 per cent).

The paper is available on the commission’s website.

The Measures of Student Progress and Outcomes project is funded, in part, by the Canadian Council on Learning. A working group of institutional researchers from six universities in the region is helping the Commission develop areas of measurement, including persistence and graduation rates, and course success. The research is based on the post-secondary student information system.

The Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission was established in 1974 to assist institutions and governments to enhance the post-secondary learning environment. The Commission’s 20 members are from the Maritime provinces and represent higher education institutions, provincial governments and the general public.

Saskatchewan to Amend Local Government Election Act

Admin — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 23:21:04 +0000

February 2, 2010 – GOVERNMENT TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO EXTEND MUNICIPAL TERMS TO FOUR YEARS FROM THREE

Municipal Affairs Minister Jeremy Harrison today announced plans to lengthen the term of office for urban, northern municipal and school board officials.

Amendments to The Local Government Election Act will be introduced in the fall of 2010 and will lengthen the term of office from three years to four in the 2012 municipal and school board elections.

“We have consulted with various stakeholders and feel this is an innovative way of helping municipal officials,” Harrison said. “Taxpayers will benefit from cost savings from holding fewer elections and there will now be longer periods for municipal councils to plan and implement programs and longer term goals.”

The Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) convention passed a resolution in 2008 to extend the term of office from three to four years. The Ministry of Municipal Affairs consulted with the education sector as school board elections are held concurrent with municipal elections.

The move would not affect rural municipalities. Rural municipalities prefer the two-year term of office under which they currently operate, but do not object to a four year term for other local governments.

The move would see Saskatchewan join seven other provinces which have four year terms (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Ontario and Manitoba). British Columbia and Alberta have three year terms, as well at the Yukon. The Northwest Territories and Nunavut have two-year or three-year terms dependant on the size of the community.

Action Group on French Language New Brunswick

Admin — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 22:30:54 +0000

Action group developing language, cultural planning policy in education (10/01/18)

FREDERICTON (CNB) – Work has begun by the Action Group for the Commission on Francophone Schools on a language and cultural development policy in response to a major priority identified in the commission report prepared by Gino LeBlanc.

The action group identified the areas of activity for developing the policy, which will describe the characteristics of schools desired for the Acadian and francophone communities, the objectives to be achieved, and the means of achieving them.

The Association acadienne des artistes professionnel.le.s du Nouveau-Brunswick (AAAPNB) welcomes its involvement in elaborating the policy, especially since its implementation was a recommendation of the États généraux des arts et de la culture (Summit of arts and culture in New Brunswick’s Acadian society).

“We believe that artists contribute to the growth of the educational community by creating works of art that allow students to ask questions by suggesting other points of view and other ways of looking at the world,” said Carmen Gibbs, the executive director, AAAPNB.

Ernest Thibodeau, president of the Fédération des conseils d’éducation and spokesperson for the action group, said the development of the policy is advancing at a good pace.

“Developing this type of policy is a long-term effort,” he said. “The synergy between the members of the action group keeps growing at every meeting. With this common vision, we will be able to achieve all our objectives. This policy will transform the francophone education system in New Brunswick and will help develop better schools for our children.”

The action group is developing a plan to use the $5.7 million announced recently by the provincial government as a follow-up to the commission’s report.

AGREEMENT SIGNED BETWEEN SASKATCHEWAN AND VIETNAM

Admin — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 22:24:49 +0000

AGREEMENT SIGNED BETWEEN SASKATCHEWAN AND VIETNAM

Today, Advanced Education, Employment and Labour, and Minister responsible for Immigration Rob Norris, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Government of Vietnam that will formalize collaborative relations between Saskatchewan and Vietnam. The memorandum is focused on immigration, education and entrepreneurship.

“This agreement will help to create more jobs in our province while building more diverse, dynamic and cosmopolitan communities right across Saskatchewan,” Norris said. “In addition to looking abroad, we are supporting education here in Saskatchewan, especially within First Nations and Métis communities.”

The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nomination Program, the provincial immigration initiative, has experienced significant growth under the Wall government, contributing to recent population records. In 2008-09, 2,914 applicants were nominated for residence in Saskatchewan, 52 of these being from Vietnam. The goal for 2009-10 is 3,400 nominees, with anticipated growth from Vietnam.

As well, Vietnam is one of three sites for the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology’s (SIAST) overseas “skills passport” project, which focuses on skills assessment to facilitate foreign credential recognition for specific skilled workers.

This agreement builds on the educational and research agreements that the University of Saskatchewan, University of Regina and SIAST have established with Vietnamese post-secondary institutions.

The agreement signed today comes out of the Memorandum of Intent Saskatchewan and Vietnam signed in April 2009 that was aimed at increasing mutual understanding and closer economic and technological co-operation.

Student Loan Research Survey: Nova Scotia

Admin — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 19:10:04 +0000

The province is asking college and university students about their work and study habits and how they pay for their education.

The Department of Education, in partnership with the Canada Student Loans Program, is conducting an online survey to better understand how undergraduate students finance their education and how it affects their college or university experience.

“Many Nova Scotia college and university students have a variety of challenges funding their education,” said Education Minister Marilyn More. “This survey will help us learn more about how they balance work and school.”

Students will be asked questions about work-study routines, how they make ends meet and how their employment may affect school work. The Department of Education and the Canada Student Loan Program will consider information from the survey when they review policies and procedures that affect students.

“As someone who receives little financial support from home, it is necessary for me to work a great deal while in school to pay for it,” said Robert LeForte, vice-chair of the Alliance of Nova Scotia Students Association. “Aside from tuition, many students also have to pay for things like textbooks, supplies, public transportation to jobs, and ancillary fees.

“It is important that research is done to examine students’ work and study patterns to get a clear picture of the reality of the situation.”

Undergraduate university and college students that complete the survey will be entered into a draw for one of 20 prizes of $250. The survey should take about 20 minutes.

Schools have been contacting students about the survey by e-mail. The survey can be found at www.workstudynovascotia.ca . The closing date for the survey is Jan. 29.

School Storm Days Discussion Paper: Nova Scotia

Admin — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 23:28:04 +0000

Department of EducationJanuary 6, 2010 12:16 PM

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Better communication with parents, and contingency plans to make up for lost instructional time from snow days are among the recommendations of a report examining storm day policies in Nova Scotia.

School Storm Days in Nova Scotia: A Discussion Paper, released today, Jan. 6, makes six recommendations to keep school boards as prepared as possible for poor weather conditions.

They are:
– improving communication so parents and media better understanding how storm day decisions are made
– developing consistent language and terminology for school cancellations
– sharing government and board resources, such as hourly weather forecasts and highway webcams
– developing contingency plans for when a critical number of days are lost to storms, such as sending home learning packages or opening schools later in the day if weather improves
– opening discussion with teachers to use snow days as a time to collaborate professionally for the benefit of students
– addressing concerns of other board employee groups affected by school cancellations

The discussion paper, written by former school board superintendent Jim Gunn, was prompted by the higher-than-normal number of school cancellations during last year’s unusually poor winter weather.

Nova Scotia school boards were not alone in cancelling classes more frequently than in past winters, according to the paper.

Storms carrying a sometimes dangerous mixture of snow, ice pellets and freezing rain caused system-wide shutdowns in many parts of the Atlantic provinces.

“The weather in all of Atlantic Canada was abnormal,” said Mr. Gunn. “Temperatures that hover around the freezing point in the first daylight hours, when a storm system is crossing Nova Scotia, make things more difficult for meterologists, student-transportation decision-makers, and those clearing the roads.”

System-wide storm days were above the average for six of seven boards, since boards amalgamated in 1996.

They ranged from a low of three days in Tri-County Regional School Board to a high of 12 in Chignecto-Central. Elsewhere in Atlantic Canada, western P.E.I. lost 13 school days, the Burin Peninsula, N.L., lost 12, and Moncton, N.B., lost eight.

“The decision to close a school because of inclement weather is never easy one, but school boards always make those decisions with the safety of students and staff in mind,” said Education Minister Marilyn More. “This report will provide boards with information that will be helpful when they are updating their storm policies.”

The discussion paper can be viewed at www.ednet.ns.ca .

New Brunswick positive learning environment policy

Admin — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 03:07:51 +0000

FREDERICTON (CNB) – The provincial government is taking a tougher stance on bullying in schools, not just of students, but of teachers as well.

The Department of Education has released its updated Positive Learning Environment Policy. The new policy, called the Positive Learning and Working Environment, specifically includes teachers. Updating the policy was a commitment under the department’s When kids come first plan.

“I am pleased that today, as anti-bullying Blue Day is being recognized in schools across the province, that I can release this updated policy in support of the elimination of all types of bullying in our schools,” said Education Minister Roland Haché. “Including teachers and support staff in this policy is important to ensure that they, too, have a safe and healthy working environment and are treated with the respect that they deserve.”

In addition to expanding the policy to teachers, the updated policy adds bullying and cyber-bullying under the “serious misconduct” section. A new section on conflict resolution and prevention of inappropriate behaviour by parents has been added.

“This updated policy is sorely needed to create a balance in schools,” said Noreen Bonnell, co-president, New Brunswick Teacher’s (NBTF). “Just as students need a safe environment for learning, teachers and other staff need a workplace that is free from threats, harassment and intimidation.”

“Any form of bullying is unacceptable,” said Monique Caissie, co-president, NBTF.

“We are delighted to see that schools will now be better equipped to manage this kind of problem and to promote an attitude of non-tolerance toward bullying.

Department of Education policies are available online.

09/12/17

MEDIA CONTACTS: Valerie Kilfoil, communications, Department of Education, 506-444-4919; Blake Robichaud, communications, New Brunswick Teachers’ Association, 506-506-452-1833; Rob Frenette, anti-bullying day organizer, 506-549-0367.

09/12/17

EDUCATION INDICATORS REPORT SASKATCHEWAN

Admin — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 17:18:00 +0000

PROVINCE RELEASES 2009 EDUCATION INDICATORS REPORT

Today, the Ministry of Education released the 2009 Saskatchewan Education Indicators Report. The report is released annually to ensure public accountability and to guide planning for improvement in Saskatchewan’s education system.

“Our government is committed to improving student achievement within the provincial education system,” Deputy Premier and Education Minister Ken Krawetz said. “The 2009 Saskatchewan Education Indicators Report provides an open and transparent medium in which accomplishments in Saskatchewan’s schools are recognized, and areas requiring planning and intervention to improve student outcomes are highlighted.”

The report contains province-wide information on core indicators that enable school divisions to monitor their progress toward the fulfillment of their annual continuous improvement plans. Three core indicators are now reported at the school division level with the intent to allow school divisions to share best practices. These indicators illustrate data regarding graduation rates, knowledge and understanding of Treaties and instructional time in mathematics.

Indicators provide the opportunity to dig deeper and reflect on data to help inform decision-making within the education sector. A few indicators include:

a small increase in enrolment for the first time in 16 years;
baseline data supporting mandatory Treaty Education is now in place;
the 2006 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) and the 2007 Pan-Canadian Assessment Program (PCAP) indicate declining student achievement in math, reading and science in relation to the Canadian average; and
an increase in the number of students with special needs being identified and receiving additional supports.

“To address these challenges, our ministry has formed the Provincial Panel on Student Achievement,” Krawetz said. “The Panel is currently hosting a series of focused conversations and based on those discussions will provide concrete, actionable recommendations regarding PreK-12 student achievement in early 2010. We have also implemented the Continuous Improvement Framework with school divisions and continue to work on curriculum renewal to improve student outcomes.”

The 2009 Saskatchewan Education Indicators Report is developed in collaboration with major stakeholders including the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF), the Saskatchewan School Boards Association (SSBA), the League of Educational Administrators, Directors, and Superintendents (LEADS) and the universities.

To view the report online, visit www.education.gov.sk.ca/AAR_Indicators_Program.

NFLD Consultations on Child, Youth and Family Services Act

Admin — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 18:29:59 +0000

The Department of Child, Youth and Family Services is embarking on a comprehensive review of the Child, Youth and Family Services Act.A series of scheduled consultations will begin this week with key stakeholders, including representatives from advocacy, client, aboriginal, education, health, judicial and community groups. Other organizations and interested individuals are also encouraged to submit their views on the current legislation.

“The purpose of legislative review is to obtain a broad range of feedback from people who work with, or are impacted by, child protection legislation,” said the Honourable Joan Burke, Minister of Child, Youth and Family Services. “A close examination of the act will help ensure that every measure we implement in the new department is designed to strengthen the child protection system. Our policy decisions as we move forward must be rooted in strong legislation.”

The current Child, Youth and Family Services Act, proclaimed on January 5, 2000, is the legislation which governs the protection of children in Newfoundland and Labrador. The act provides the authority to intervene when a child is the victim, or at risk, of abuse by a parent or legal guardian.

Various reports have recommended a legislative review, including the Clinical Services Review released in May 2009. The review of the act will focus on limitations or gaps in the current legislation.?This will range from analyzing terminology to a broader examination of the legislative principles and authority for providing services to children, youth and their families.

“The Provincial Government recognizes that the Child, Youth and Family Services Act needs to be reviewed and updated,” said Minister Burke. “The Clinical Services Review and other reports have pointed to serious deficiencies within the system. One of the first steps to making the necessary reforms to safeguard our children is to complete a legislative review.”

Individuals wishing to comment on the act can do so through a discussion guide posted on the CYFS website at

www.gov.nl.ca/cyfs. The information and questions in the guide are provided as an aid to help facilitate dialogue and feedback. Comments regarding other insights or concerns are encouraged and welcomed. Input can also be provided by calling, emailing or by sending a written submission to the department.“I encourage anyone who has views on the current legislation to share their thoughts,” said Minister Burke. “This is a chance to directly influence legislation and to help create the best child and youth protection system in the country.”

Announced under Budget 2009, the creation of the new Department of Child, Youth and Family Services signals the Provincial Government’s commitment to building a revitalized system that is responsive to the priority needs of children and that operates within a culture of accountability and excellence.

The current Child, Youth and Family Services Act can be viewed online at http://assembly.nl.ca/Legislation/sr/statutes/c12-1.htm. The act and discussion guide can also be obtained by calling the department.

Comments can be made until January 30, 2010 by:

Email:
cyfsreview@gov.nl.ca

Phone:
Joanne Cotter, Program Consultant, 1-877-225-3335

Mail:
CYFS Legislative Review
c/o Joanne Cotter, Program Consultant
Child, Youth and Family Services
P.O Box 8700
St, John’s, NL
A1B 4J6