Learning For Life II Plan Marks First Anniversary
Michael MacKinnon says his school has gone from good to great, all because of a little respect.
Good deeds and respect for others is quickly replacing schoolyard rough housing, name calling, and even littering at Basinview Drive Community School, one of almost 200 schools that has adopted a new Positive and Effective Behaviour Support system, known as PEBS.
"When you come to school you feel more welcome. Students feel a lot safer too," said Michael, a Grade 6 student. "Everybody listens to the teachers and the monitors, and there's not as much pushing and shoving. School was more rough before PEBS."
Basinview has been a model PEBS school. The school clearly communicates its expectations and then finds ways to reward students for good behaviour, which contribute to a positive school climate and improved learning for students.
"Discipline problems are down at the school and students and staff all report an improved learning environment," said Pam Nicholson-Comeau, principal of Basinview Drive Community School.
"An already exemplary school is much improved," she said.
The Positive and Effective Behaviours Supports is just one of a number of new and expanded initiatives underway in Learning For Life II: Brighter Futures Together, the province's four-year plan for education.
Learning For Life II marks its first anniversary this year.
Education Minister Karen Casey today, Sept. 28, released the 2005-06 annual report and an action plan for 2006-07. A yearly progress report was promised when Learning for Life II was launched in May 2005.
"We are reaching the goals we set out to achieve a year ago," said Ms. Casey. "Our children's education is vital to the future of Nova Scotia and this plan continues to help all students, and our province, take a significant step toward that brighter future."
The student-centred plan continues to build on the foundation of Learning for Life: Planning for Student Success. The new plan focuses on ensuring all students graduate with the best possible preparation for their futures.
The Department of Education invested $21.4 million in new funding to support the first year of Learning for Life II, introducing almost 50 initiatives, including the region's first pre-primary program, new advanced high school courses, class size reductions at the early grades, a new school improvement process, and more resources for math, literacy and special education.
The province is adding another $20.2 million this year to further expand and add new programs, including a provincewide nutrition policy, the hiring of more physical education specialists, and new provincewide assessments for students in Grade 3 math and Grade 9 literacy.
The annual report is available online at www.ednet.ns.ca .