Consultative Process Forum Results 2009

Background

The Battle River School Division hosts an annual Consultative Process, to receive input from stakeholders.

During the fall of 2009, six consultative process forums were held, gathering input from students, parents / community members, support staff and teachers. More than 200 people participated in the events, sharing their comments and thoughts about what is essential for a quality 21^st century education.

Input collected at these forums will help guide Battle River School Division’s planning process and influence the priorities the division sets for the coming years. In addition, a summary of the results was forwarded to the Honourable David Hancock, Minister of Education and each of the six MLAs whose constituencies overlap our school division (Hon. Ed Stelmach, Hon. Lloyd Snelgrove, Doug Griffiths, Verlyn Olson, Ray Prins and George Rogers).

Below is a copy of the summary that was sent to the Minister, as well as a more detailed version of the responses we received. If you would like further information on the Consultative Process, please feel free to contact Dennis Dunlop, Division Principal, at ddunlop@brsd.ab.ca or 780-672-6131.

Click here for a copy of the letter sent to the Minister of Education

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During November and December 2009 Battle River School Division conducted a series of Consultative Process forums, to gather input from students, staff, parents and community members.  The forums were focused around the question of what stakeholders consider to be essential components of a 21st century education.  Between the six forums, more than 200 people from across Battle River School Division provided input.

• Why would the province want to cut funding to education? This is the future of our province.

• We are training young people to lead our county. How can we justify not giving them all the opportunity they deserve?

• Government cuts cannot be allowed to shape our culture.

• Things cost a lot and there is plenty that we need for educational success.

• Will the money be maintained to keep smaller class sizes?

• It all still comes down to placing people (adults) with students. We can talk computers and technology all we like and yes, it’s a growing world, but these kids still need human contact.

• Maintain jobs for benefit of students.

• Alberta Ed needs to get with the program – look at families and what children need. Be a bit more proactive.

• The direction our students are heading for in the future and what a huge responsibility we have to help get them there.

• How quickly the world is changing!

• What struck me most at this forum is how important diversified learning and teaching is to our kids. We all learn differently and teach differently. Let’s figure it out and do it right.

• It is more important that students learn how to learn than what they learn (except for the basic essential knowledge).

• We as a society will have to be constantly re-evaluating and prioritizing our expectations with respect to the educational system.

• How can we effectively follow a set curriculum and provide career guidance for students when they will likely change their careers several times before they reach the age of most of us attending this forum?

• There are possibilities for students to be connected with their environment, responsible for learning and to connect and cooperate globally.

• Learning to learn and learning the subject matter should still be the goal.

• There is going to be different needs to be met in the future.

• Learning must change and we have to be open to this change.

• Digital Citizenship

• Cyber bullying education.

• Use technology to replace books/paper supplies.

• Greener schools – solar power, wind power. Other environmentally friendly initiative.

• K & E program needs to be implemented sooner. More success sooner instead of more frustration for students.

• Ensure quality and up-to-date equipment and resources are available at each school.

• Training to support technology and its evolution is essential.

• University programs for teachers need to catch up to focus on technology.

• Staff need to be fluent in technology.

• Lots of inservice is needed to keep up with technology.

• Technology will be a huge part of education in the 21st century. The question is how do we find the most effective way (both financially and based on student needs) to meet and keep up with technology?

• It seems to me we are becoming a very technology driven society – what happens when the power goes off?

• Smartboards in classrooms.

• We need up to date technology.

• We need resources such as smartboards, projectors, etc.

• We have a lack of working computers and good internet access.

• Teach teachers how to use technology. Don’t need smartboards if teachers can’t use them.

• There’s not enough technology.

• Technology is not updated.

• How do we balance access and cyber safety?

• We can become green by using technology.

• “Use it,” don’t be scared.

• Support for current technology.

• Laptops for students.

• Technology to reach all learning styles.

• Encourage teachers to use technology to the fullest extent (return on investment).

• Upgrade all staff to teach students technology in order to compete in the global classroom.

• Willingness of teachers to learn new technology.

• Increase technical staff and PD for teachers/staff using new technology.

• Student literacy – target students who are falling behind.

• Continue early literacy.

• Provide more opportunities for extra help.

• We need specialized programming. Individualized diagnostic testing in a more timely fashion.

• Help the kids get help they really need, so they can be more successful.

• Students need to have help when they need it.

• There should be more help for students who are falling behind.

• We need special reading programs – reading buddies.

• Reading is essential

• Early reading programs.

• Teach to the student needs, not curriculum.

• Increased funding for early intervention.

• There must be ongoing professional development for teachers.

• Basic foundational knowledge for students in the “3Rs” and social learning is limiting – we must broaden this.

• We need teachers who can teach in their area of expertise – specialists!

• There must be meaningful professional development.

• All students have the right to learn at their own level.

• We need trained / qualified staff.

• Make sure teachers have the skill for what they teach.

• Match qualifications and teaching positions.

• Reduce amount of BRSD PD. Increase # of individualized/specialized PD (e.g. Smartboard, subject specific and technology training).

• School or board central resource person who has time to help (e.g. Wolf Creek).

• PD may be more personalized – learning communities.

• Better monitoring on teachers to see if they are updating teaching method.

• Teacher training (send one, limited, from each school to come back and go back to their school, in-house training).

• It seems sometimes that technology is the end goal of education. The use of technology should only be a tool.

• I’m not willing to lose the human component (staff).

• Don’t lose teaching of basics in a technology world. We need both.

• Teachers are important for success.

• Educational Assistants are important for success.

• Ex triple graded.

• Maintain current staffing numbers (EA’s, teachers, etc.).

• We need to remember to do everything for and about kids! Relationships are still the most important.

• Keep the 17:1 student/teacher ratio.

• Bringing in extra help – OT, Counselors, etc.

• Supporting students should be consistent.

• Counseling services (Family Liaison worker).

• What is the future of Special Education? Parents need to be given the full plan early so that they have a chance to stand up to the Provincial Government and say cutting Special Education is wrong. Cutting the Educational Assistant time is wrong.

• Let the government know the domino effect they are creating when they cut government services in Mental Health / Crisis Intervention. It’s falling more and more on the schools.

• Continued focus on efficient use of resources linked to outcomes for all students.

• Problem solving, support services, individualized instruction services now – an investment for the future.

• What is special education? Who is special? Does mainstreaming work? Doesn’t a homogenized classroom lead to mediocrity?

• Students need exposures to fine arts with qualified teachers with expertise in these areas – drama, art, music are essential.

• Fine Arts teach competition, collaboration and cooperation.

• I worry that once decisions are made about Instruction budget that actual program changes will not be discussed with the public i.e. Fine Arts importance – Core!

• There are left-brain thinkers and right-brain thinkers. Don’t neglect the fine arts or you will deny half of the students their most natural way to learn and for all to express themselves.

• What is “basic” education?

• If we are going to have less money next year for the schools, who will be hired for the special programs?

• Integrate and include in classrooms. Don’t isolate special needs students.

• Depends on the degree of learning challenges as to whether student should remain in the classroom.

• Special needs should be in different classroom.

• There isn’t too much money for extra programming, which is unfortunate because it’s very important in schools and for the gaining of life skills.

• Work experience is very important for success later in life.

• Extra-curricular programs are essential.

• Personal and career counselling is important for success.

• Inclusion – what is this defining?

• Essential support for EA’s to obtain effective, competent classroom support, pay and treatment needs to show their value.

• Different teaching styles.

• Extra help for students falling behind – Div. 1.

• Collaboration of services.

• I have concerns over the restructuring of the Spec. Ed. program.

• Inclusion is not always the best choice. Inclusion of Spec. Ed. into classrooms depends on the student. Inclusion is not for every student!

• More Sped. Ed. training for EA’s and all teachers.

• Expand all option programs e.g. Green Certificate, RAP.

• Schools are forced into raising funds for fundamental areas i.e. field trips

• I believe there is additional “downloading” by the province onto the schools and parents.

• We need to identify the purpose for fundraising.

• I am surprised at the amount of fundraising being done by the schools in Battle River.

• Field trips are another way of learning.

• Extra-curricular programs should be part of Phys. Ed.

• Changes needed in funding extra-curricular programs.

• Extra-curricular needed.

• Prioritize fundraising. Involve communities to avoid overlap.

• Continue to fund a wide variety of extra-curricular activities to include more students e.g. F.A.C.T. class (Theatre sports).

• No fundraising for essentials.

• We should think of Battle River as one big school.

• I have gained appreciation for the complexity of work of the school board.

• Schools are using more ways to teach the students in our division.

• How complex it is to balance a budget with so many demands in so many areas.

 

A further point of note is the comment that schools are community assets and that there are many groups interested in facility partnerships, to offer such things as breakfast or lunch programs, day care or pre-school programs, libraries, sports programs and more.

• I am struck by the lack of partnering within the education system and the private sector.

• Breakfast and hot lunch programs are important.

• Greater collaboration of services.

 

In addition, there were a variety of comments in the areas of Transportation and Operations / Maintenance. Participants spoke to the importance of having a well managed transportation system with well maintained buses and trained drivers. Several participants had questions about whether or not a four-day school week would save costs and pointed to the reduction in bus runs as point in favour of this step.

Participants also spoke about the positive impact that clean, safe and well maintained schools have on learning.

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