Submitted by: Charlottetown Rural Home and School Association
WHEREAS the primary purpose of the educational system is to provide students with basic education as well as knowledge and intellectual skills to move into the work force or pursue post secondary education, so that students can participate fully in and contribute to the rapidly changing and technology-dominated global society; and
WHEREAS students leaving our educational system without strong basic competencies may experience difficulty accessing post-secondary education and the labour market; and
WHEREAS the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) quantifies trends and measures educational outcomes in three key areas (reading, mathematics and science), assessing the extent to which youth at age 15 have acquired the essential knowledge and skills for full participation in modern society; and
WHEREAS in a global economy, educational success is not measured against provincial or national standards, but against the top performing educational systems in the world; and
WHEREAS PISA scores for PEI students decreased significantly from 2003 to 2012 – in 2012 PEI students were unique in Canada in scoring below the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) average (and the lowest in Canada) in all three domains – science, reading and math; and
WHEREAS the recent PISA report confirms that PEI was the only province in Canada to score below the OECD average in all three domains: reading, mathematics and science, and
WHEREAS the 2012 PISA results show the average math score for PEI students was 39 points, or a full year of schooling, below Canadian average and 11 points below the next Canadian province; and
WHEREAS 25% of PEI students scored below level 2 in math, the OECD benchmark level, meaning they do not have the baseline mathematical proficiency required to participate fully in society; and
WHEREAS the average mark in the 2011-12 provincial intermediate grade nine math assessment was 66%; and
WHEREAS parents are losing confidence in the PEI educational system to deliver quality curriculum and learning opportunities and subsequent outcomes for students; and
WHEREAS an under-performing public education system will continue to hinder economic prosperity and innovation, productivity and competitiveness of our province and promotes a culture of mediocrity instead of excellence;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that, the Minister of Education acknowledge there is an urgent problem with student achievement in PEI and publicly declare it the number one priority of the Ministry of Education; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that pursuant the Schools Act, the Minister of Education & Early Childhood Development establish the expected PEI academic outcomes and standards of academic performance for mathematics, science and reading, that are consistent with national and international standards, and take immediate steps to assess the extent to which outcomes are achieved and standards are met; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the P.E.I. Home and School Federation requests the Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development to commit to including the P.E.I. Home and School Federation as a partner in the development of a specific strategy and and plan by April 2015 to have P.E.I. students meet the national average to address the student achievement gap in Prince Edward Island; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the P.E.I. Home and School Federation requests the Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development to issue an annual report to inform the public and parents and students on the state of the P.E.I. education system.
Saturday, April 12, 2014
| Destination: | Department of Education and Early Childhood Development English Language School Board |
English Language School Board: This resolution is to be considered by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.
Education and Early Childhood Development: The Government of Prince Edward Island is committed to helping Island students trhrive, achieve and succeed. We are all here to support our students. Education is our top priority because it is the best investment government can make in a prosperous economy and a strong society. Student achievement is a high priority for the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.
We have seen a significant improvement in the average score per student in mathematics and the percentage of students successfully completing the program has jumped considerably. For example, we have seen 12 per cent improvement in the number of students passing the provincial grade 9 assessment, just this past year.
Two new assessments were introduced this year, the Elementary Mathematics Assessment in grade 6 and the Intermediate Literacy Assessment in grade 9, providing base line data. The overall results for 2014 show that the investments we are making in learning are paying off, whether those investments are in literacy coaches, early interventions or professional curriculum resources, and professional development.
Parents and techers working together, supported by school leaders, school boards, and government, provide the best educational experience for our children.
Parents move issues forward, promote the highest standards for our children and engage government in important dialogues on student achievement. The efforts of parents make our schools a better place to learn and grow, and the work you do ensures parents are aware and involved in their children's learning. The leadership of the Home and School Federation has created meaningful parent engagement which is essential to supporting student achievement.
The PEI Home and School Federation continues to play an essential role in our school communities, makes valuable contributions to Island classrooms, supports teachers and school staff. The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development meets with the Home and School Federation at least once a year as a group. The Department also meets with the Executive a number of times per year. The Home and School Federation also sits on some of the Department's committees such as the school calendar committee.