Province launches Our Children, Our Future: Getting it Right public consultations on the Education Act

Government to hold forums in seven communities on education legislation

Edmonton… Students, parents, teachers and others interested in building education as the key to individual and community success are invited to participate in upcoming public consultations on the Education Act.

“Education legislation is not reviewed very often and I am committed to getting it right,” said Education Minister Thomas Lukaszuk. “By opening up this discussion to the public, especially to students, we can ensure this legislation reflects Albertans’ vision for their education system and that it has a direct and positive impact on Alberta classrooms now, and for decades to come.”

One component of the Our Children, Our Future: Getting it Right consultations will be forums conducted in seven communities. The consultations will be exploring four themes:

1. Making schools safe and welcoming
2. Making learning relevant for all students
3. Keeping students engaged in learning
4. Setting students up for success in life

“I encourage Albertans to take part in these discussions,” said Lukaszuk. “For those who cannot participate, we will also be launching an online consultation shortly, so that everyone can have the chance to share their thoughts on the future of education in Alberta.”

Albertans can visit http://education.alberta.ca/engage to register for the opportunity to participate in the following forums.

While these meetings are open to all Albertans, space is limited. Therefore, confirmation emails will be sent to all who register confirming their space in the community forums. Priority will be given to parents, students and teachers.

Details on the additional elements of the consultation, including online submissions and events in schools, will be announced in the weeks ahead. The results of this public consultation will be incorporated into the new Education Act, to be introduced in the Legislature in Spring 2012.

In Budget 2011, the Government of Canada announced funding for the development and implementation of an international education strategy that will reinforce Canada as a country of choice to study and conduct world-class research. The budget also called for the establishment of an advisory panel reporting to the Ministers of International Trade and Finance to make recommendations on the strategy and to set out the contributions of all partners.

An Advisory Panel was named on October 13, 2011 to provide guidance and direction for the development, implementation and evaluation of an International Education Strategy for Canada. The panel will advise on a range of issues and make recommendations for the post-secondary international education sector.

Mandate

The mandate of the Advisory Panel on Canada’s International Education Strategy is to make recommendations on the strategy that will maximise economic opportunities for Canada in the field of international education, including strengthening our engagement with emerging key markets, focussing on attracting the best/brightest international students, expanding the delivery of Canadian education services abroad, and building, expanding and ensuring greater partnerships between Canadian and foreign institutions.

Membership

The members of the Advisory Panel on Canada’s International Education Strategy have been selected based on their expertise, experience and a sound understanding of education in Canada and international education marketing in general.

The panel is comprised of the following members:

• Amit Chakma, President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Western Ontario (Panel Chair)
• André Bisson, Chair of the Board, Centre for Interuniversity Research and Analysis of Organizations, lead director, Transat A.T. and Chancellor Emeritus, Université de Montréal
• Jacynthe Côté, President and CEO, Rio Tinto Alcan
• Colin Dodds, President, Saint Mary’s University
• Lorna Smith, Director, Office of International Education, Mount Royal University
• Don Wright, President, British Columbia Institute of Technology.

Consultations

In the Fall of 2011, the panel will begin a national consultation process to gather views from partners and stakeholders. Additional information on the consultation process will be shared when available.

To support the work of the Advisory Panel, the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) has launched an online consultation process seeking stakeholder perspectives and feedback on key areas of interest for Canada’s International Education Strategy. To share your views, please download the consultation form (PDF * – 454 KB), enter and save your responses, and submit your completed form by email to edustrat@international.gc.ca prior to Monday, November 21, 2011. If you have any further questions about this consultation process, please do not hesitate to contact the Advisory Panel Secretariat at the above email address.

Contact Us

Questions and comments can be directed to the Advisory Panel Secretariat at edustrat@international.gc.ca.

Read the full press release on the international.gc.ca website, “Stronger Ties with World’s Best and Brightest in Priority Markets: Goal of International Education Strategy“

Education and Early Childhood Development

Islanders can now have their say on how the education system should be governed, says the Prince Edward Island Education Governance Commission.

Today the Commission released Charting the Way, an Education Governance Discussion Paper. The Commission is seeking public input on a governance approach that ensures leadership and accountability for student learning outcomes and the effective, efficient, responsive operation of Prince Edward Island’s education system.

“We have had a positive and productive start to our work,” said co-chair Carrie St. Jean. “Our members are all deeply committed to working with Islanders to design an education governance model that reflects our shared responsibility to our children. We bring diverse experience and insights to the work, which will help us to look at the issues from all perspectives.”

“Our meetings so far have helped us understand the issues and trends in education governance in Prince Edward Island and in other jurisdictions,” said co-chair Bill Whelan. “To start the conversation, we have prepared a discussion paper with information on the PEI education system and questions on how to shape the system for the future. In the coming weeks, we look forward to meeting with Islanders at our scheduled public input forums and hearing their views and ideas.”

The discussion paper is available for download on the Commission’s website, www.peieducationgovernance.com. The website also provides background information, meeting schedules, and the latest news updates. For social media purposes, the Commission is using hashtag #PEIedugov as a channel for public discussion.

Media Contact: Janice Pettit

Education and early childhood development is a government priority. In the interest of transparency, we want to ensure our stakeholders, parents and the general public have an opportunity to review the information and consider potential improvements to our education system.” – Jody Carr, Minister (see message)

Consultation: Education and Early Childhood Development

Members of the public are invited to read the Discussion Paper and submit ideas, comments and suggestions on ways the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development can manage departmental and school administration spending, including how best to re-allocate funding to support student achievement.

Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Jody Carr recently attended sessions with anglophone and francophone stakeholders. When combined with the public consultation, the ideas and insights received will assist the department in developing its proposal for the 2011-2012 provincial budget.

The consultation is part of a government-wide renewal exercise designed to ensure the long-term affordability and sustainability of programs and services.

Deadline: October 31, 2011

The Honourable John Duncan, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, and Shawn Atleo, National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, today officially launched an engagement process to explore solutions that will improve First Nation elementary and secondary education on reserve.

“Education is a targeted priority of the Canada-AFN Joint Action Plan,” said Minister Duncan. “Today’s announcement is a concrete example of the importance of partnership and collaboration. This engagement process will be looking at options, including legislation, to improve the education outcomes of First Nation students. It will be led by a National Panel composed of experienced individuals who have dedicated their careers to helping children and youth succeed. This engagement focuses on encouraging individuals to offer their input and insights on reforming elementary and secondary education on reserve.”

“All First Nations have made education a top priority,” commented National Chief Atleo. “This panel is an important opportunity to profile what is working and where there are barriers that must be overcome. We encourage all First Nations educators, leaders and families to fully engage. Our traditions have always emphasized the collective responsibility of supporting and nurturing our children’s success. We must drive forward this opportunity and bring forward the specific approaches to finally deliver sustainable, stable and equitable education enabling our students to succeed.”

The National Panel will lead the engagement process, which will include roundtable sessions, visits to First Nation schools and key meetings with stakeholders across the country. The engagement process is also designed to allow anyone with an interest and a view on how to improve First Nation elementary and secondary education to participate through a dedicated website where participants can post, vote and comment on ideas, and submit and/or read written submissions online.

The work of the National Panel gets underway this week with a visit to Akwesasne First Nation. More information on the National Panel engagement activities will be available on the National Panel’s website.

The National Panel will make recommendations to the Minister and National Chief on options to make concrete and positive changes for First Nation students, including possible legislation, to improve the governance framework and clarify accountability for First Nation elementary and secondary education. The Panel will report by the end of the 2011 calendar year.

To learn more about the engagement process and to make sure your voice is heard, visit Students First!.

Backgrounder – Mandate of the National Panel

New Education Act sets foundation for student success.  Legislation increases student access; supports local decision-making

Edmonton… New legislation will enhance student access to education and empower local school boards to be more responsive to the diverse learning needs of students and their communities.

Bill 18, the Education Act was introduced in the Alberta Legislature on April 27. The proposed legislation will underpin the transformation of the education system to reflect expectations for high school completion, online and other flexible learning environments and a wide range of supports to students.

“Education is foundational to our province’s future,” said Minister of Education Dave Hancock. “This new legislation is one more way to enable all the partners in education – students, parents, teachers, schools and school boards – and community groups to focus on their number one priority: student success.”

If passed, the Education Act will replace the School Act, whichis the legislative framework that currently guides the governance of education in Alberta. The last major changes to education legislation were to the School Act in 1988. Government actively engaged Albertans in discussions about the future of education through several key initiatives: Inspiring Education: a Dialogue with Albertans, Inspiring Action, Setting the Direction and Speak Out. Each initiative has contributed to the ongoing transformation of Alberta’s education system and informed the development of the Education Act.

The Act is not expected to be passed in the spring legislative session, allowing it to be held over for further discussion by education stakeholders and other Albertans. An online engagement forum (www.education.alberta.ca/engage) will complement stakeholder meetings, ensuring Albertans can continue to contribute to the conversation about educational transformation.

“Albertans told us that they want all students to be inspired to achieve success and fulfilment as engaged thinkers and ethical citizens with an entrepreneurial spirit,” said Hancock. “This legislation is another step toward achieving this vision.”

Highlights of the Education Act focus on student success:

• Increases the age of access to 21, allowing students more time to graduate.
• Raises the age of compulsory attendance to 17 from 16 years to encourage more students to complete their high school education.
• Articulates responsibilities for students, parents, school boards and trustees.
• Requires school boards to ensure a caring, respectful and safe environment that addresses bullying and discrimination, in school, outside of school and online.
• Describes the provision of specialized supports and services, recognizing that the needs of all students will be met within a single inclusive education system.
• Enables more flexible learning opportunities and supports for students by providing school boards with natural person powers.
• Removes specific requirements related to the transportation of students allowing boards to be more responsive to the needs of their community when determining how to best provide safe and appropriate transportation to their students.

The proposed Education Act updates processes for establishing separate school districts, clarifies definitions of independent and resident students, and outlines expectations surrounding education services agreements for First Nations students. It also provides criteria around the establishment of charter schools, expands who may establish them, and provides for regulations to establish criteria by which a charter may be issued on a permanent basis.

For more information, visit the Alberta Education website at www.education.alberta.ca/educationact

The Alberta government is working to build a better Alberta by fostering economic growth, strengthening our health and education systems, investing in infrastructure, supporting safe and strong communities and ensuring a clean and healthy environment.

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Media inquiries may be directed to:
Carolyn Stuparyk, Education Communications
780-427-5451
carolyn.stuparyk@gov.ab.ca

To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000.

Amendments to Improve Teaching and Learning in Schools

The province is raising the level of teaching and learning in public schools.

Province Proposes Major Change To Modernize Education System

To better prepare young children for lifelong learning, support their development and ease their transition into school, the Provincial Government is moving forward with a strategic plan for early childhood learning. The Honourable Darin King, Minister of Education, today announced public consultations to assist with development of the strategy.

“Our intent is to develop a strategy which will provide a seamless transition from early childhood into the school system, to enhance children’s early learning and better support healthy child development,” said Minister King. “Research tells us that early childhood experiences have a major impact on their success in school and the workplace, and in many other aspects of life. We want to ensure we have the resources and programs to help reach children at the right age and in the right way, so that all children in Newfoundland and Labrador have the best opportunity for success.”

The consultations will focus on three proposed components of the strategy: support for parents and families of children from birth to three years of age; provision of enhanced early learning opportunities for four year-old children; and the possibility of introducing full-day Kindergarten.

Fifteen facilitated discussions with officials from the Department of Education will be held across the province. Anyone wishing to attend a session must register at least two days in advance by calling: 1-877-556-7845.

Anyone wishing to provide input into the strategy but unable to attend a session can provide feedback via e-mail, regular mail or by telephone. Contact information, as well as a discussion guide, is available at www.gov.nl.ca/edu.

The Provincial Government is seeking input from individuals with knowledge in the areas of child development, education, health and early learning, as well as parents and caregivers of children up to six years of age.

“Children experience early learning in all environments, including the child’s home, play groups, libraries, child care settings such as family child care and centre-based child care, family resource programs, schools and recreational programs,” said Minister King. “That’s why we’re seeking input from stakeholders in all areas to ensure a comprehensive approach to this strategy.”

In addition to the public consultation sessions, meetings will be held across the province with staff in school boards, regional health authorities, and other government departments as a part of the consultation process.

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Media contact:
Tara Power
Director of Communications
Department of Education
709-729-0048, 727-5953
tarapower@gov.nl.ca

Review of Management of Property Tax Exemptions, Abatements, Discounts and Penalties in Relation to Education Property Tax

		Discussion Paper: Review of Management of Property Tax Exemptions, Abatements, Discounts and Penalties in Relation to Education Property Tax (PDF 153 KB)