The premier recently said too many changes in education may have been made too quickly. Now there's been a cabinet shuffle, a pair of consultants touring the province and the development of a draft education sector plan.
In reporting to board of education members last week, Living Sky's director of education Randy Fox said an education sector plan is being developed to incorporate some of Premier Brad Wall's Vision 2020 goals into pre-K-12 education. These include a reduction in the difference in graduation rates between aboriginal and non-aboriginal students by 50 per cent and a goal to lead the country in Grade 12 graduation rates by 2020.
"Is it kind of pie in the ski? I think it is in some ways," said Fox. "But, on the other hand, if we break it down to one part at a time, one year at a time, I think we can get there."
Fox was talking about a series of goals and their timelines as outlined in the draft plan so far.
The goal of having 80 per cent of students at grade level or above in reading, writing and math by June 2020 is in line with what Living Sky is trying to do and matches what most divisions are trying to do, said Fox. The division is starting to get some good baseline data to measure improvement, he said, adding that reading levels have already improved from last year to this.
Shorter term goals will be used as steps to the larger goals, such as working to have an improvement of 20 per cent in the Grade 3 reading level by June of 2015. Fox said this kind of growth is possible, as from last year to this there has been an improvement of nine per cent.
It takes effort, interventions when necessary and training for teachers, he said.
"We need to keep moving in the right direction," said Fox.
Another goal is to have 80 per cent of Grade 9 students at grade level or above in writing by 2017. Fox said this will be a challenge, as students have been assessing lower in writing than reading.
The goals of the plan are all to be the result of a core strategic intent, said Fox.
"Overall, what we're trying get at, is we want students to be able to say, 'I'm ready to learn, I'm respected, I am engaged, I can achieve, I am prepared for my future."
Fox said, "These are dreams that we have for all our students and the way we make them possible is by implementing the things we see in the plan."
The several goals in the plan culminate in the ultimate goal of an 85 per cent graduation rate by 2020, a rate that would lead the country.
"I think we'll certainly improve," said Fox, but he added. "I'm not sure we'll lead the country."
Board member Ronna Pathick pointed out the goals lean toward students graduating after three years of high school, with the caution that not every student graduates within Grades 10, 11 and 12. Sometimes it takes five years, she said.
"The important thing is to get Grade 12."
Fox agreed, however he said the division will have to work toward the plan goal, knowing it's not going to happen for all its students. Many students go through high school without any problems, graduate and do well in life, he said,
"But we also have a significant number of students who don't graduate, or struggle heartily to graduate, and at the end of the day I hope that's what we're about … giving kids a successful experience in school that leads to graduation."
There are alternate pathways to graduation, he said, although they may be narrow according to the plan.
But the plan also sets a goal to make sure all students have all their opportunities laid out for them through a system wide "Grade 9 to graduation plan" for every student, to be created by students and an advisor.
Fox tied this to the draft education sector plans June 2017 goal of all students looking forward to attending school because they are able to connect their learning to their interests through a variety of courses and options."
"Do we spend enough time talking to kids about what their interests are?" he asked. "There probably is a need to do more of that."
He went on, "For a lot of kids, they are going to go through school and not going to have any issues or problems, but there are increasing numbers of students who aren't sure about themselves or their future. We have a role to play in helping them understand at least the opportunities that might be there for them."
Another goal, one timed to be in place by June 2015 is to have a pyramid of assessment and interventions across ministries available for vulnerable students. An individual unexcused absent rate in excess of 10 per cent is to trigger inter-ministerial support for that student, said Fox.
"There is real concern out there around attendance in some parts of the province," said Fox. "If you want to have kids engaged, they have to be at school."
In helping vulnerable students, education needs the help of social services, health and even justice, said Fox. There is also a need to be able to connect with families, he said.
"To help families appreciate the value of a Grade 12 education is a big one."
Fox said he sees steps toward this goal already being taken, with increased agency and inter-ministry supports, such as the HUB, already in place.
He said he sees "more willingness now than there has been for the last few years on the part of deputy ministers to increase efforts to work together.
The developing education sector plan also includes goals to do with funding. The Living Sky board will be paying particular attention to the final wording of one goal that currently states provincial funding to education is not to exceed the consumer price index. If followed to the letter, it could mean lower funding in some years. The intent of the entry was for boards of education to have some idea of what their funding was going to be like year to year, said Fox.
He also pointed out the goal refers to the overall funding pot for the province.
"It doesn't mean every school division is going to get those dollars," he said.
