Clearview School Division
The findings of The Truth and Reconciliation Commission into Residential schools and the effect on Aboriginal peoples will be the focus of a full day public workshop hosted by Clearview School Division in March or April.
At the Jan. 14 board meeting, Deputy Superintendent Brenda MacDonald presented the opportunity to the board and fielded several questions about the workshop.
Taught by Roy and Judy Louis, both accomplished leaders, teachers, business people and advocates, the session will review the outcomes and recommendations of the Commission.
MacDonald stated that 116 students in the Clearview school division have self-identified as First Nations, Metis and Inuit (FNMI).
Alberta Education is committed to including the history of residential schools as part of FNMI curriculum.
Looking to improve results
Clearview students have a high participation rate for provincial diploma exams but trustees would like to see more emphasis on improving results as well.
Trustee Ken Checkel was concerned that data doesn’t necessarily show a true picture of diploma results. For example, if an entire class writes diploma exams but only two thirds pass as opposed to only the top half of students write but all pass.
“There are a lot of divisions out there that have figured out how to still get better pass rates then we do and they have just as good or even better participation rates,” explained Checkel.
Improving diploma results is one of the priorities of Clearview’s Strategic Action Plan.