Education Agenda for Student Success 2002-2006

Priority 2: Strengthening Links Among Schools, Families and Communities

Throughout a child's schooling and life, family involvement has been shown to be an essential component for success. In order to support this priority, Manitoba Education, Citizenship and Youth identified the following actions to improve collaboration among families, schools and communities.

2.1

Provide print and online materials for parents and the public that describe what students are learning in various grades and subjects.

In consultation with the Manitoba Association of Parent Councils, content has been developed for the K-8 and S1-S4 English, French Immersion and Français programs. The materials are posted on the Department's website.

Visit Curriculum Information for Parents.

2.2

Provide information to schools about effective communication strategies that engage parents in the education of their children.

Working with the Manitoba Association of Parent Councils, the department has developed an information binder, delivered information sessions, created a parent information website and published A Time to Know Which Direction to Go as a graduation requirements planner for Senior Years students and their parents, and published a support document for parents of students with special needs. This document has been replaced with Focus on the Future: A Parent and Student Guide to Senior Years Graduation Requirements. Visit Graduation Requirements.

In partnerships with the Manitoba Association of Parent Councils (MAPC), information sessions were delivered on a pilot basis throughout the province. An information binder was distributed to parents and communities to facilitate receipt and use of updated parental information on a continuous basis from the Department.

A revision of the Advisory Councils for School Leadership Handbook took place in collaboration with the Manitoba Teachers' Society (MTS), Manitoba Association of School Superintendents (MASS), Manitoba Association of School Trustees (MAST), Manitoba Association of Parent Councils (MAPC), Council of School Leaders (COSL), Manitoba Council for Leadership in Education (MCLE). The document School Partnerships: A Guide for Parents, Schools and Communities is the result of this collaboration.

2.3

Enhance professional development with respect to parental and community involvement in the school, and supporting learning activities in the home.

A bibliography of articles on parent involvement has been developed and distributed at divisional information sessions to enhance professional learning about parent and community involvement.

2.4

In consultation with educators and parents, develop support materials related to conflict resolution for schools, families and communities.

Working Together: A Guide to Positive Problem Solving for Schools, Families and Communities [and brochure] was developed with stakeholder support and has been released.

2.5

Enhance education outcomes in low socio-economic status communities in the province.

Through the Community Schools Partnership Initiative, Manitoba Education, Citizenship and Youth in collaboration with other government levels and departments and community agencies has developed a broad capacity to support community initiatives.