2008 EDUCATION INDICATORS REPORT RELEASED

The Ministry of Education today released the 2008 Saskatchewan Education Indicators Report. The purpose of the report is to ensure public accountability and to guide planning for improvement in Saskatchewan's education system.

"Continuous improvement and public accountability depend on accurate and timely information for effective planning and efficient operations," Education Minister Ken Krawetz said. "The 2008 Saskatchewan Education Indicators Report supports our commitment to data-guided decision making and measurable improvement by providing a comprehensive portrayal of the PreK-12 education system in Saskatchewan."

The report contains province-wide information on core indicators that enable school divisions to monitor their progress toward the achievement of their annual continuous improvement plans. The data in the report can be used by senior policy-makers, educators and parents to identify and discuss issues, and to make decisions that improve the learning and life outcomes for Saskatchewan students. Also, the report provides a picture of the accomplishments of Saskatchewan schools, as well as areas where continued attention and improvement are required.

The 2008 Saskatchewan Education Indicators Report indicates a number of trends. There are changing demographics within the province demonstrated by lower overall student enrolment, increasing Aboriginal student enrolment and lower student/educator ratios. The report also documents higher school completion rates overall but low completion rates for Aboriginal students. Data on student achievement from national and international assessments indicate Saskatchewan students are performing well internationally, but below the Canadian average.

To address these challenges the Ministry of Education has pulled together the Provincial Panel on Student Achievement that will provide a series of recommendations for improving PreK-12 student achievement in Saskatchewan. At the same time the Ministry is implementing the Continuous Improvement Framework. This requires boards of education to produce and put into practice annual improvement plans based on joint priorities. Also, Saskatchewan is leading the National Aboriginal Education Action Plan, on behalf of the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada. A national 2009 Summit on Aboriginal Education will be hosted by Saskatchewan and leaders to discuss strategies for eliminating the gap in educational achievement between Canada's First Nations, Métis and Inuit students compared with non-Aboriginal students.

The 2008 Saskatchewan Education Indicators Report has been collaboratively developed with major stakeholders including the Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation (STF), the Saskatchewan School Boards Association (SSBA), the League of Educational Administrators, Directors, and Superintendents (LEADS), and universities.

The report is available through the Ministry of Education website at http://www.education.gov.sk.ca/AAR_Indicators_Program.

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For more information, contact:

Jacquie McLean
Education
Regina, Phone: 306-787-5609
Email: jacquie.mclean@gov.sk.ca