New Plan To Help Students Do Better

A new, four-year plan to help more students succeed in school and in life was launched by Premier John Hamm and Education Minister Jamie Muir at Auburn Drive High School in Dartmouth today, May 12.

The new plan, called Learning for Life II: Brighter Futures Together, introduces many new initiatives to improve the academic performance and health of students. The province will invest $21.4 million to implement the first year of the plan in the 2005-06 budget.

"Healthier, better-educated children are a top priority for this government," said Premier Hamm. "The skills and knowledge our children learn today will improve their quality of life tomorrow, which will make our communities, our industries and our entire province even better."

Learning for Life II: Brighter Futures Together is the second step in the government's phased approach to improving education in the province. The student-centred plan builds on the foundation of Learning for Life: Planning for Student Success, and responds to feedback from the Education Partners' Forum in February 2005. The new plan focuses on ensuring all students graduate with the best possible preparation for their futures.

"This plan is a collaborative effort and was really written by all partners in education," said Mr. Muir. "We all believe our children's education is vital to the future of Nova Scotia and this plan will help all students, and our province, take a significant step toward that brighter future."

Janet Walsh, president of the Nova Scotia Federation of Home and School Associations, was one of the education partners who attended the partners' forum hosted by the province in February 2005.

"I think the province is moving in the right direction for students," said Ms. Walsh. "I'm pleased that the new plan reflects the feedback of so many partners and the needs of students."

Highlights of the new plan include:

• More specialists, including speech language pathologists, school psychologists and resource teachers to better support students with special needs;
• Additional literacy and math mentors to work with school boards and schools to help more students succeed in these subjects;
• More physical education teachers and improved physical education programs to encourage exercise and healthy eating;
• Smaller class sizes in Grade 2;
• $1 million more for new books and teaching resources;
• A new program, Options and Opportunities, to help young Nova Scotians at risk of dropping out of school by offering trades training and co-operative learning experiences;
• A free pre-primary program, to be piloted in up to 20 schools;
• More literacy and math assessments, with support for students who need to improve;
• A greater focus on partnerships with parents, student advisory councils and others involved in education.

During the launch event, students from Auburn Drive High School presented displays and a video depicting the school's co- operative education program. The Halifax Regional School Board selected Auburn Drive High School to pilot one aspect of the province's Options and Opportunities program based on the school's existing co-op initiatives. As part of the $1.5 million being invested in Options and Opportunities, each school board will receive funding to begin implementing aspects of the program.

"Auburn Drive already offers co-op work experience to its students, so helping them expand the program was a natural fit," said Carole Olsen, superintendent, Halifax Regional School Board. "With the introduction of Options and Opportunities and more support from the province, we're hoping more schools will initiate co-op programs aimed at helping students finish high school and successfully transition to post-secondary education and the workforce."

A copy of Learning for Life II: Brighter Futures Together is available on the website at http://brighterfuturestogether.ednet.ns.ca/index.shtml . The Department of Education will report annually on Brighter Futures Together to update education partners on progress and future plans.