Greenan outlines education initiatives

A number of initiatives have been launched in P.E.I. schools to help students in Grades 1 to 3 develop good literacy skills and a strong foundation for later learning, Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Gerard Greenan said Wednesday.
Greenan tabled a report in the Legislature that highlights recent progress by the education system to improve student achievement.
The report outlines activities developed in response to the recommendations of the Task Force On Student Achievement
He said that literacy coaches are working in elementary schools to help
classroom teachers identify and address the diverse literacy needs of
students.
These coaches are teachers with specialized knowledge and training in the best early literacy practices.
All primary schools have access to many new classroom resources
that help Grades 1 to 3 students learn to read and write.
A new Primary Literacy Intervention Program is being introduced
for Grades 2 and 3 students who can benefit from intensive short-term
literacy interventions. Through this program a specially trained teacher
works intensively with a group of four students for 20 to 25 consecutive
days. At the end of this period, students are able to work at grade
level and function productively in school. They are also able to
maintain the gains they made in the program and continue to progress
within the regular classroom.
The report also highlights several innovative new math
initiatives.
A new math curriculum, now being piloted in Grades 1, 4 and 7,
has a strong focus on the fundamentals of math.
New resources have been added to support an increased emphasis
on mental math in the elementary grades.
High school students have access to a new Applied Math course
that focuses on essential mathematical skills used in trades-related
careers.
Data from two full provincial common assessments of Grade 9 math
are now available to help improve achievement in math.
Parents are participating in efforts to help children develop
strong early numeracy skills through Family Math Nights taking place at
several schools.
"As a result of these many efforts, we are making significant
progress in several of the key areas that influence student
achievement," said Greenan. "This has required a great
deal of energy and commitment on the part of teachers, staff of the
school boards and the department, and parent and professional groups.
With this tremendous collaborative effort, students now have many more
opportunities to succeed."
The progress report is available online at www.edu.pe.ca.



**Backgrounder**
PROGRESS REPORT HIGHLIGHTS

Kindergarten
- The length of the kindergarten year was extended to a minimum of nine months
- A new integrated kindergarten curriculum was developed and implemented
- New funding was provided to enhance early learning environments

Early Literacy
- 10 literacy coaches are now working with teachers in Grades 1-3 classrooms
- Consistent classroom assessments are being used to measure reading progress
- Substantial new reading and writing resources were added to Grades 1-3 classrooms
- Major investments were made in school library collections
- An intensive 25-day primary literacy intervention program was introduced
- Psychologists and speech language pathologists were added
- Early intervention programs were introduced for students with learning disabilities
- Specialized literacy resources were added for new immigrant students

Curriculum and Assessment
- Curriculum is being developed and implemented in 30 of 400 courses
- A new Grade 6 social studies curriculum was introduced on PEI history
- A new math curriculum is being piloted in Grades 1, 4 and 7
- New resources are strengthening the learning of mental math in Grades 1-6.
- A new high school Applied Math course focusses on essential trades-related math
- 18 new trades courses are being introduced
- Technology was added to deliver courses from one school to another
- New technology allows parents to access online information on student progress
- Provincial assessments were conducted in primary and elementary literacy and intermediate math

Student Engagement
- Consultations began to identify more time for math and language arts in high school
- An action plan was developed to increase career education in high school
- A new International Baccalaureate Diploma Program was introduced
- A provincial EAL/FAL Unit was opened to support new immigrant students
- Funding was identified to enhance and expand school breakfast programs

Parent Involvement
- 11 family literacy projects were funded
- Campaigns were conducted to increase engagement in literacy activities
- A parent engagement strategy was developed by the PEI Home and School Federation
- All schools developed goals to increase parent involvement