Education conversation held in Pincher Creek

Student Joey Duffield and Principal Sandra McDuffe
organizing ideas into categories
T. Lucas photos

Toni Lucas

Matthew Halton High School Principal Sandy McDuffe and Off Campus Coordinator John Taylor hosted a discussion about local Livingstone Range School Division (LRSD) education with approximately 60 people including students and facilitators in attendance at the Ranchland Mall on Tuesday, June 10.  "I consider this to be a very important meeting, and I am not alone in that sentiment," said McDuffe.  This was part of process intended to create an open discussion between LRSD and the local community about the direction that education should take moving into the future.  "This is one of our steps," said McDuffe.

Sandy McDuffe

 "The intention is to develop this relationship so we can have some ongoing work together for the betterment of the students who are in our schools, and who are going to be in our schools."  McDuffe said the meeting was to intended to help identify priorities for learning in LRSD schools. "What's important to us as schools, what's important to us as a community?"

"This province is not the only jurisdiction in the world that is trying to change its approach to education," explained John Taylor, who provided information about Inspiring Education and associated provincial initiatives.  He pointed out that many places worldwide are reworking education "To better prepare young people for their futures, and our futures too."  Taylor explained how technology is changing the future, now.  "The world is changing so rapidly, that even the patterns of work and jobs are shifting. More than half of the students in the province have cell phones by grade 7."  In a quickly changing world Taylor said "The technology is there for us to learn, we need to keep pace with it."

John Taylor

Taylor addressed an Educational Ministerial order from 2008 that asked the question: 'What does an educated Albertan look like in the year 2030?' The question was asked of people from all walks of life. "They talked to over 4,000 people." Taylor explained that the gathered data was used to create the report 'Inspiring Education'. "That document is actually the source document, the framework for everything that has been rolling out of Edmonton in the last several years about changes in education."  He talked about a new educational ministerial order that came out in 2013 that laid out what all students need to learn by the time they finish high school.

"The focus is changing to creative, adaptive, life-long learners with a solid foundation in literacy and numeracy," said Taylor.  He explained that the LRSD is one of 20 jurisdictions within the province who are trying to redesign the curriculum so that it is more relevant.  "The people that are involved in this project are looking for your ideas, your input. The agenda of Inspiring Education is to ensure that our education system remains strong and continues to produce people with vision, skills, and leadership abilities."

Groups worked together in brainstorming sessions

The people at each table tackled two questions: 'For a successful future, what do you believe is essential our children and youth learn by the time they complete their high school experience?' and 'What does a great school for all look like?'  Answers were written out on notepads and the many answers were gathered from each table on each of these questions. The answers were then arranged on a board and grouped into similar answers.  These were then categorized.  A few of the emerging categories included: Community Focus, Relationships, Social Skills, Learning Styles, Citizenship, Critical Thinking, Applied Skills, Competencies, Real-World Skills, Academics, Self Awareness, Leadership, Wellness,  and Ethics.  These categories have been identified locally as necessary skills and abilities for a high school graduate and learning centres going into the future.

Joey Duffield acted as one of many student facilitators

There are currently plans to have a meeting in the fall to forward these talks and gather more information.  At that time the organizers are hoping that the information gathered from this meeting will be analyzed and  presented.

If you would like to have your voice heard on this issue you can visit the website http://inspiring.education.alberta.ca