Mr. Speaker, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment is committed to continually improving our education systems, including curricula.
The department is implementing a new student information system for all schools in the Northwest Territories. The new system will hold functional grade levels, Alberta Achievement Test results, student support plans, classroom assessment and student attendance together in a single student’s electronic file. This will allow schools, school boards and the department to more accurately track student information and assist in the overall accountability of the education system.
Aboriginal Student Achievement initiatives remain a focus of our department, Mr. Speaker. In early May we brought Aboriginal and education leaders together to discuss ASA initiatives, ensuring that their voices were heard and their expertise applied to our plans and initiatives. Our strong, independent North is built on partnerships. We cannot move forward with ASA initiatives without the support and involvement of these leaders. We have gained their commitment to ensure that ASA remains a priority within their communities and throughout the North.
In early childhood development and child care, our focus has been on child and family resource centres in full partnership with the Department of Health and Social Services. Research shows that early childhood development, from birth to age five, is directly correlated to a child’s success in adult life. Parents play a critical role during this time. We need to focus on our children from birth in order to prepare them to become active, productive, healthy citizens of the North. On the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Priorities and Planning, $1.25 million has been re-profiled to support early childhood development.
In family and student support, our focus has been on parent and community engagement. We know that there is a dramatic relationship between parental and community involvement and a child’s success at school.
In support of Aboriginal language and culture curriculum and resource development, the Dene Kede Trails to Becoming CD-ROM resource continues to be used in schools. As well, the department recently launched language-learning applications in the five Dene languages. These apps are being used on modern tablets such as iPads and are available for free on iTunes.
In literacy, our focus has been on literacy coaches and libraries, ensuring that each region has trained literacy coordinators in their schools. Funding for five new school and community libraries was allocated, and additional training in reading instruction was offered to teachers. To assist in literacy, a series of elective courses were created to help students succeed in English courses.
Mr. Speaker, I will keep this House informed as the work in the areas of early childhood development and Aboriginal Student Achievement moves ahead. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
