Implementing Literacy with ICT Across the Curriculum

Each jurisdiction in Manitoba will implement Literacy with ICT Across the Curriculum over three years, beginning in 2006–07 with continuation of the action research already undertaken by each school division in 2005–06.

Year	Implementation	Reporting to Parents
2006-07	selected K–8 classrooms	pilot reporting model in selected classrooms
2007-08	selected K–8 classrooms	begin reporting in selected classrooms
2008-09	all K–8 classrooms	reporting for all K-8 students

The policy for the implementation of Literacy with ICT Across the Curriculum was developed through consultation with each Manitoba school division during the action research. Its implementation will provide consistent expectations for all K–8 students developing their literacy with ICT, and it sets out a framework for Manitoba schools to inform parents of their child’s progress along the Developmental Continuum for Literacy with ICT.

Policy of Literacy with ICT Across the Curriculum

Manitoba schools are required to implement Literacy with ICT Across the Curriculum for students in Grades K–8 beginning in the 2006–2007 school year, with full implementation by the end of 2008–2009.

Schools are expected to report to parents of K–8 students within their existing reporting structure. Reporting on the progress of each student’s literacy with ICT along the developmental continuum is to be based on the following framework:

reporting on three competencies of Literacy with ICT

demonstrates critical thinking with ICT to plan and gather information
demonstrates creative thinking with ICT to produce and communicate information
demonstrates responsibility and ethics with ICT

providing evidence of and opportunities to discuss student literacy with ICT at parent/teacher/student conferences. These discussions can be facilitated by

portfolios of student work
individual student profiles on the Developmental Continuum for Literacy with ICT

Schools/divisions will begin reporting in 2006–2007 by piloting their own reporting process locally. In 2007–2008, each school/division will begin using its piloted process and, by 2008–2009, the process will be fully implemented.

Division/School Responsibility

Each school division and funded independent school will develop a three-year plan to implement Literacy with ICT Across the Curriculum, and schools will incorporate it into their school plans over the next three years. It is expected that school divisions/schools will implement Literacy with ICT in a manner that reflects the needs of their community and the culture of their school division/school. During 2006-2007, Manitoba Education, Citizenship and Youth staff from the Distance Learning and Information Technologies Unit will consult with each jurisdiction regarding their implementation plans.

Action Research Team Responsibility

The implementation process is expected to be facilitated by members of the action research teams, who have developed valuable expertise related to implementing Literacy with ICT Across the Curriculum, and who have agreed to provide professional learning and mentoring on Literacy with ICT to other educators in their jurisdictions. Members of the action research teams include Early Years teachers, Middle Years teachers, school leaders, and ICT and curriculum consultants.

Teacher Responsibility

All K–8 classroom teachers are responsible for the development, assessment, and reporting of student literacy with ICT across the curriculum. Keeping in mind the “Gradual Release of Responsibility” Model of Explicit Instruction, teachers will share responsibility with students as appropriate. Other members of the learning community, such as resource teachers, teacher-librarians, teacher mentors, and others, may be involved as required.

Department Responsibility

Manitoba Education, Citizenship and Youth has supported action research on Literacy with ICT Across the Curriculum by providing, over three years, six days of “coach the mentors” professional learning and planning for divisional implementation teams in each Manitoba school division. Manitoba Education, Citizenship and Youth will also provide the following support and resources for implementation:

the Developmental Continuum for Literacy with ICT
a wall-size poster of the continuum
a handbook entitled A Continuum Model for Literacy with ICT Across the Curriculum
age-appropriate snapshots of student development of literacy with ICT
age-appropriate student-friendly versions of the continuum to enable student involvement in assessment
a website including resources such as sample learning experiences, student exemplars, background information for teachers, and implementation FAQs
consultation with divisions/schools to develop and refine their implementation plans
an online learning community with resources to support implementation teams
online professional learning opportunities for use within school divisions/schools
a parent information pamphlet on Literacy with ICT Across the Curriculum for distribution by schools in 2007
online teacher self-assessment rubrics to facilitate goal setting for professional growth
summer institutes for additional divisional/school implementation team members
sample reporting models
ongoing consultation with individual divisional/school implementation teams
an additional two days of ”coach the mentors” professional learning for action research/implementation teams, annually throughout the implementation process
ongoing action research throughout the implementation process
reports on findings of the action research

What are the roles of those involved in implementing Literacy with ICT Across the Curriculum?

All K-8 students will develop their literacy with ICT.
All K-8 teachers will provide learning opportunities for their students to develop literacy with ICT across the curriculum.
All parents will be provided with evidence of their child's literacy with ICT so they can support their children.
All schools will report to parents about the development of their child's literacy with ICT.
All school divisions will support their teachers and students in developing literacy with ICT.

Letter Announcing LwICT Policy, August 2006

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