Literacy Continues to be a High Priority for
Atlantic Ministers of Education and Training
(Dartmouth, Nova Scotia)
A strong commitment and relentless efforts to promote and enhance literacy
is the key theme that emerged from a meeting of the Council of Atlantic
Ministers of Education and Training (CAMET) today in Dartmouth, N.S. The
meeting was attended by Hon. Martine Coulombe, New Brunswick Minister of
Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour; Hon. Marilyn More, Nova
Scotia Minister of Labour and Advanced Education; Hon. Doug Currie, Prince
Edward Island Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development; and
Hon. Allan Campbell, Prince Edward Island Minister of Innovation and
Advanced Learning.
Ministers reviewed progress in the implementation of their 2009 plan, Literacy: Key to Learning and Path to Prosperity – An Action Plan for Atlantic Canada 2009-2014, and expressed great satisfaction relating to the accomplishments achieved since its launch. These accomplishments will be contained in a progress report to be released in February.
Ministers are also delighted to launch the following seven resources in schools across Atlantic Canada to further support their ongoing commitment to improve literacy in public education:
Atlantic ministers also highlighted the Atlantic Adult Literacy Campaign, Literacy: It means more than you think, launched on November 1, 2010 as a means of improving the quality of life and increasing literacy and essential skills. Ministers wish to emphasize that literacy encompasses more than reading, writing, and numeracy, as it impacts every aspect of an individual’s daily life, whether as a learner, employer, worker, or parent. The campaign exemplified the commitment of Atlantic ministers to work together to promote the social and economic benefits of literacy throughout Atlantic Canada. The campaign will continue in 2011.
The Council of Atlantic Ministers of Education and Training (CAMET) is an agency of the Council of Atlantic Premiers (CAP) and its purpose is to enhance cooperation in public (Entry-Grade 12) and post-secondary education in Atlantic Canada by working together to improve learning, optimize efficiencies and bring added value to provincial initiatives.
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For further information, please contact:
Valerie Kilfoil NB Department of Education and Early Childhood Development Tel: (506) 444-4919 |
Johanne LeBlanc Ministère de l’Éducation et du Développement de la petite enfance du N.-B. Tel: (506) 444-4714 |
Lori-Jean Wallace NB Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training & Labour Tel: (506) 453-2039 |
Tara Power NL Department of Education Tel: (709) 729-0048 |
Chrissy Matheson NS Department of Education Tel: (902) 424-8307 |
Karen Stone NS Department of Labour & Advanced Education Tel: (902) 424-2107 |
Judy Munro NS Department of Labour & Advanced Education Tel: 902-424-0011 |
Maureen Flanagan-LeClair PEI Department of Education & Early Childhood Development Tel: 902-368-3514 |
Ron Ryder PEI Department of Innovation and Advanced Learning Tel: 902-620-3774 |
BACKGROUNDER
New CAMET Resources
2009-2012 CAMET Strategic Direction
Standards and Educational Leadership: The Road Not (Yet) Taken
Les normes et le leadership en éducation : Un concept à découvrir
An environmental scan of educational leadership standards was prepared to
inform the process of establishing leadership standards for principals and
superintendants. This document highlights the context and purposes of
educational leadership standards as they have been developed and used by
other provinces, states and countries.
Standards of Practice for Educational Leaders: A Guide for
Leadership Development, Growth and Professionalism / Normes de pratique pour
cadres d’établissements d’enseignement: Guide de perfectionnement, de
croissance et de professionnalisme
A set of standards of practice and competencies for educational leaders has
now been developed that reflects the highest ideals for aspiring and
practicing school principals and vice principals. These standards of
practice describe the knowledge, skills, competencies and values that
reflect a continuous growth towards excellence in leadership.
Grade 3 and 4 Social Studies Curriculum
Two resources were developed to outline the philosophy and scope of the
grades 3 and 4 social studies programs for the English-language schools and
immersion programs. Curriculum outcomes and delineations are paired with
effective student learning activities and assessment strategies. These
resources are available in print and online by visiting each of the
provincial department of education websites.
The Multi-age Classroom Kits / La classe multiâge
A resource package designed to stimulate discussions and reflections on
schools interested in establishing multi-age classes. The philosophies
behind the multi-age approach are becoming more prominent and widely used,
especially in those places where student enrolment numbers remain low. This
resource is designed to support and guide teachers through the process of
setting up multi-age classes. This resource is available in print only, with
a complementary interactive cd rom.
Effective Instructional Practice in the Mathematics Classroom: A
Literature Review
A report that examines the characteristics of effective teachers who promote
maximum learning in today’s diverse mathematics classroom. The literature
review focuses on instruction and best practices in the classroom, the use
of successful assessment strategies and how to improve student engagement.
The document also addresses best teaching practices for students considered
“at-risk” or those who experience learning difficulties in mathematics.
CAMET 2009-2014 Literacy Action Plan
Séquences didactiques pour les programmes de français de la 9e à la
12e année
An interactive Web-based resource was developed for teachers. This tool
promotes a differentiated instruction approach and guides teachers through
various activities linked to the new grades 9 to 12 language arts
curriculum. The site also features links to student exemplars which help to
identify student performance.
English Language Arts Grades 7, 8 and 9 Curriculum Renewal
A research of current teaching practices was completed, which includes the
up-to-date developments and pedagogical approaches (instructional and
classroom assessment/evaluation) related to teaching language arts in grades
7 to 9. Revised components of the curriculum guide include updated
information on the time teachers plan for instruction for reading and
writing, viewing and representing, listening and speaking, as well as
additional support for teachers to address the language arts outcomes. This
resource is available online by visiting each of the provincial department
of education websites.