EDUCATION, TRAINING AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

Commitment 2.2.1 – We will implement the Education Renewal and Innovation Framework by:
Implementing the renewed K-12 Inclusive Schooling Directive which provides greater direction on roles and responsibilities, increases the number of Program Support Teachers, increases emphasis on training, and increases accountability.

The overall objective of Education Renewal is to improve student achievement for all NWT students. This work is focused on four main areas:

• Improving teacher and student wellness;
• Strengthening teaching and learning;
• Strengthening cultural programming and student sense of identity; and
• Increasing system-wide accountability and results.

Education Renewal initiatives currently underway include:

In the 2016-17 school year, the renewed Ministerial Directive on Inclusive Schooling (2016) was implemented (milestone 1) including the gradual implementation of the new funding structure which supports the increase of Program Support teachers in all schools over a three year period and significant training of school staff through on-going professional learning opportunities.

Following the establishment of bullying prevention legislation in 2013, in the 2016-2017 school year, the implementation of Safe School regulations and a territorial school Code of Conduct began, leading to the establishment of Safe School Plans in each NWT school. In addition, there is delivery of healthy relationships programming in all NWT schools, including staff training for teachers and school principals.

The renewal of the Aboriginal Language and Culture-Based Education (ALCBE) Directive is currently underway with the anticipated revised Directive to be completed by the end of the 2017-2018 school year with implementation beginning in the fall of 2018. The renewed Directive will focus on enhancing support for language instruction, connect school programs to the priorities of the community, and direct funding and reporting expectations (milestone 1).

Development of a new NWT Grades JK-9 Indigenous Languages Curriculum called Our Languages was completed in the 2016-2017 school year and is currently being piloted in several schools across the NWT during the 2017-2018 school year.

Since the 2016-17 school year, all NWT schools are implementing the Elders in Schools program.

An Accountability Framework for Education Authorities was established in December of 2016, in collaboration with Superintendents (milestone 1). The Accountability Cycle includes Annual Reports and Operating Plans for each school year to be tabled in February. Annual reports are submitted as part of the Audited Financial Statement document submitted by Education Authorities, which includes a Management Analysis.

The Department of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) is currently developing a new pathways high school structure which sets out to better support individual student course selection and high school experiences that better align with student interests, academic abilities and career goals in preparation for post-secondary education and/or the labour force. To be implemented for grade 9 students beginning in the 2019-2020 school year (milestone 1).

Improving health and wellness in all schools continues to be a priority for ECE, and current support in this area includes the implementation of self-regulation strategies in schools, providing access to an online teacher mental wellness program to all NWT educators, as well as number of online courses, and providing annual funding to all NWT schools for healthy and nutritious eating programs.

There has been an expansion of Northern Distance Learning, providing academic Grades 10-12 courses to NWT small community school students. Currently 6 small community schools are partnered with Inuvik’s East Three School to offer distance learning courses (milestone 1). The Department wishes to expand the participation of small community schools by at least 4 more small community schools in the 2018-2019 school year, and 4 or more schools during the 2019-2020 school year (milestone 2).

ECE has commissioned a planning study on options for shared service administration and potential savings across NWT Education Authorities, including an assessment of administration, human resources, information technology, facilities and asset management/maintenance, and financial management. The final report for the Education Authorities Shared Services Planning Study will be presented to the Steering Committee and Education Authorities in the fall of 2017. The report and the government response to the recommendations will be released to Education Authorities in the spring of 2018 for review (milestone 2).

Related Mandate Commitments:

Commitment 2.1.1: We will implement the Right from the Start Framework to invest in early childhood development by:

• Working with stakeholders and communities to explore options for free, play-based care for 4-year-olds
• Revising the funding support model for licensed early childhood programs
• Strengthening licensed early childhood programs through improving resource materials and increased training for early childhood workers

Commitment 3.6.2 - We will improve the accessibility, affordability and inclusivity of childcare in the NWT to allow all children aged zero to five to experience an enriching, quality early learning environment by:

• Supporting the creation of new childcare spaces and programs in all communities
• Ensuring the sustainability of existing early childhood development programs

Commitment 4.5.4 - We will build youth resiliency in schools by supporting school staff in using self-regulation instructional practices.