IDEA Releases Report on ‘Students at Risk’ in Iqaluit Schools

HOW DO WE SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS

WHO ARE STRUGGLING IN SCHOOL?

How do we support students who struggle in school? Well, when the IDEA first examined this issue in 2004, there was very little information on how our schools were doing in closing the gap between students who performed well and those who struggled. We decided that we needed better information.

The first phase of the IDEA research began with “a comparative analysis of education indicators between Iqaluit, Nunavut and the overall Canadian population” derived from the 2001 and 1996 censuses. We released the results of that research in November 2005ⁱ.

This month the IDEA released a report on the second phase of our research program. which focused on those students in our schools who are struggling and at risk of dropping out - A status report on students at risk in Iqaluit schools.

“Problem learners.  Kids who “fall through the cracks”. Potential dropouts. Truants. Students who are somehow left behind.  These are all terms that have been used over the years to describe Canadian students who have not kept up with their classmates in meeting the educational benchmarks set by our provinces and territories. In recent years, these students have been given the general description of being ‘at risk’”. We have compiled information on the number of students in our schools who are struggling, and what, if any, remedial programs are available to help them.

We think this information is important in order to identify where targeted investments need to be made in our schools to help those students who are struggling.

What are our 5 recommendations to the Government of Nunavut for interventions?

1. Start Early: A significant number of students entering our schools in kindergarten do not have the minimum language development skills to cope in school. High quality early childhood bilingual language programs can reduce risk of failing at school entry.

2.       Establish Permanent Funding for Remedial Programs:  There is a significant gap between the need for, and provision of, remedial instruction at all grade levels in our schools. Targeted investment in remedial programs should begin at the K-5 level.

3.       Increase the Availablity of Regular and Consistent Assessment and Counselling Services :  Our ‘at risk’ students require regularly accessible services (Early Intervention, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Language and Speech Therapy and psychologists) for early diagnosis of, and intervention with, learning disabilities.

4.       Specialized Interventions  Must Move From Being Special, Short-Term Projects to Become Base Funded Programs: For too long, essential programs to help with struggling students have depended on 3^rd party funding that is not guaranteed each year. Our ‘at risk’ students need programs that are funded through the school funding formula.

5.       Bilingual Education Needs to Commence Immediately at the Early Grades:   The success of the bilingual education strategy introduced by the Government of Nunavut in November 2004 depends on an injection of new, targeted  resources in schools for being bilingual programming.

The IDEA plans to continue its research program in our schools, because through this effort we hope to direct spending into the gaps in our schools.

ⁱ  Iqaluit District Education Authority (IDEA) “The Education Gap: An Examination of the Issues.” Published Report.  November 2005.

ⁱⁱ  The Quality of Public Education in Canada: Students at Risk. The Learning Partnership. Fall 2004. page 1.

News from the IDEA

Welcome to the Iqaluit District Education Authority Website. This website has been developed so all our parents, students, teachers, Nunavumiut, education officials and school boards across Canada can stay informed about the Iqaluit District Education Authority (IDEA) and our Iqaluit Schools.

l      On October 26, 2005 the IDEA co-hosted a public meeting on the new Nunavut Education Act with Department of Education Legislation Specialist Manitok Thompson. Approximately 50 parents turned out for a meeting which featured lots of good comments on improving the quality of education in our community, by improving the legislation.

l       The IDEA would like to extend a warm welcome to Jeanie Eesseemailee who joined the IDEA last November for a one year term. Jeanie brings lots of prior experience to the IDEA having served as its vice-chairperson for the period 2000-2003. Jeanie is an employee of the City of Iqaluit and has two children enrolled in Iqaluit schools.

l      The IDEA launched its website in December 2005. The website continues to be developed and added to, but you can read past newsletters, our preliminary comments on the new Education Act and our research paper on Nunavut’s Education Gap.

l     On November 29, 2005 the IDEA held its Annual General Meeting, which featured a report from all four Iqaluit schools, as well as a featured discussion on discipline in our schools. The AGM gave the IDEA an opportunity to talk with parents about the IDEA discipline policy which is in the process of being updated. A copy of the IDEA’s preliminary comments on the new Nunavut Education Act can be found on our website or at the IDEA office in Nakasuk school.

l      As part of the IDEA’s background work to revise the School Discipline Policy, IDEA chair Christa Kunuk and member Jeanie Eeseemailee hosted a two hour phone-in show on CBC radio in December to hear from parents about discipline concerns in schools.

l      The IDEA invited Department of Education officials to the November 21, 2005 meeting to discuss the Department’s budget for 2006/2007. The IDEA raised concerns with Deputy Minister Pam Hine, ADM Peter Geikie and QSO Executive Director Trudy Pettigrew, about the urgent need for programs for struggling students, particularly during the ‘transition’ years when students are moving from one school level to the next.

l      The IDEA in partnership with the Department of Education  is continuing planning for the introduction of a French Immersion program in the schools. Thank you to all parents who completed questionnaires. The French Immersion planning committee needs parent volunteers so please contact the IDEA office if you are interested.

l      2006 is election year when Iqaluit citizens go to the polls to elect a new IDEA. The IDEA needs committed parents and community volunteers who are concerned about the quality of public education in our community. Please think about serving your community through the IDEA by running for office this year.

       NEW NUNAVUT EDUCATION ACT

Last month (October) the Iqaluit District Education Authority (IDEA) hosted the Iqaluit portion of the Department of Education’s public consultations on a new Nunavut Education Act.  Approximately 60 people turned out to provide their comments and opinions as to what should be included in the new legislation.

The IDEA’s  “Preliminary Comments on a new Education Act for Nunavut” presents our comments on 8 specific areas of the legislation and we anticipate commenting further on other areas. Our Preliminary Comments are attached here as a PDF file for your review.

We are also attaching the most recent copy of our newsletter, The Bulletin,  which summarizes our comments on the new Education Act.

One recommendation that we believe is very important for the future of DEA growth and development, is the need for Bill 1 to provide for a territorial coordinating body for DEAS to work on our behalf in coordinating consultations, training and development.

Return to top of page