First Meeting of Council to Improve Classroom Conditions Set

The Council to Improve Classroom Conditions will begin three days of meetings on Tuesday, March 21, in Halifax.

"This council is an opportunity to work collaboratively to address issues teachers have said are impacting the classroom environment," said Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Karen Casey. "I look forward to the recommendations the council brings forward to improve our education system."

The council will have $20 million over two years to address issues including:

• data collection and reporting
• assessment and evaluation
• timing of administrative days relative to report card preparation
• student attendance policy
• technology and work processes, including PowerSchool and TIENET (Technology for Improving Education Network)
• scope of practice for teachers
• planning for student success
• complex classrooms
• class sizes at all grade levels
• student discipline policy.

The 14 members of the council include nine classroom teachers selected by the school board superintendents, a student, a parent, and a guidance counsellor appointed by government, and two co-chairs, one appointed by government and one appointed by the Nova Scotia Teachers Union.

Initial recommendations from the council are expected no later than April 28.

More information about the council, including its members, can be found at www.novascotia.ca/classroomcouncil.