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Fall 2004 Update
Ensuring that all students, particularly less successful students, are able to achieve their best and complete school is an important goal for Manitoba Education, Citizenship and Youth in its work with educational communities across the province. The K-S4 Agenda initially identified five actions under Priority 1. Two actions have been subsequently added.
1.1
An annual report on student achievement is released to the public.
Public reports on student performance in Manitoba, A Profile of Student Learning: Outcomes in Manitoba and A Profile of Student Learning and Performance in Manitoba have been released. The third report in the annual series of reports is scheduled for release early in 2005.
1.2
Recommendations of The Manitoba Special Education Review (1999) are being implemented to support school personnel to best address the needs of struggling learners.
Many of the 44 recommendations had been addressed prior to initiation of the K-S4 Agenda in 2002. Implementation has continued. Bill 13 (Appropriate Educational Programming) was passed in the Legislature in May 2004 and received royal assent in June. It will come into effect on a date to be determined by proclamation. Other completed actions include publishing Supporting Inclusive Schools: A Handbook for Student Services, pilot projects to study funding changes and improved individual education planning processes, and integrating student services within school division reporting.
1.3
Information on successful strategies to increase success for Aboriginal learners is being shared.
Incorporating Aboriginal Perspectives, a support document intended to share information on successful strategies for working with Aboriginal learners has been developed and released. The department has also re-focused and offered information sessions about the Aboriginal Academic Achievement Grant.
Two additional actions have been added to Priority 1:
1.6
Curricular supports for effective practice will be provided.
 Independent Together: Supporting the Multilevel Learning Community, a support document that describes effective practices for teaching in multilevel classrooms, has been developed and released to school communities.
We have made the teaching of Arts in schools a major focus.
1.7
Student information and communication technology will be increased.
 A development team for Technology as a Foundation Skill (TFS) – A Model for Implementation has been formed to increase student information and communication technology (ICT) literacy and design a variety of professional learning opportunities to support ICT integration into school communities. This work is scheduled for pilot in 2005-06 and implementation in 2006-07.
Further Action:
- The department will continue to publish annual reports on student performance. The report for 2003/04 will be released early in 2005.
- The department continues to address and implement the recommendations of The Manitoba Special Education Review (1999). Regulations and policies that support Bill 13 will be the subject of public consultations this fall with implementation to follow in the near future. The department is also working on an update to the Special Needs Categorical Funding Booklet, a framework for the training and qualifications of educational assistants, and a support document on Autism Spectrum Disorders.
- The two education departments have developed and will soon release an Aboriginal Education Action Plan that has been approved by a committee of Cabinet. Education, Citizenship and Youth has developed and maintains ongoing liaisons with major Aboriginal organizations which will help with implementing the Aboriginal Education Action Plan. Staff from the department will continue to provide educators with regional workshops that assist in developing practices that incorporate Aboriginal perspectives. A research forum on Aboriginal education is planned for Spring 2005.
- During the 2004-05 school year, work will continue on an implementation plan to improve the accessibility and quality of English as a Second Language programming in Manitoba .
- An ethno-cultural equity implementation plan involving public consultations will be developed.
- Begin development of a new Arts curriculum.
- Support the Citizenship agenda and its components – the Manitoba Teachers' Institute at the Legislature, Classroom in the Legislature, the 2005 Youth Citizenship Conference, and the Manitoba Teachers' Award for Innovation in Citizenship.
- Manitoba is the lead jurisdiction in a Western and Northern Canadian Protocol project to develop a support document on formative assessment to meet students' varying learning needs.
- The department is starting consultations on the provincial assessment program that will replace the Grades 6 and S1 optional standards tests.
- Technology as a Foundation Skill will be developed, piloted and implemented over the next three years.
Taking Stock | Next
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