MINISTRY OF EDUCATION TAKING ACTION BASED ON RESULTS OF MATH CONSULTATIONS

Education Minister Donna Harpauer has received the results of the recent math consultations with frontline educators, as well as feedback from parents and guardians. Emerging from these dialogues were some common themes where the Ministry of Education can look to strengthen supports for the renewed math curriculum.

Earlier this year, in an effort to address concerns coming from parents and a petition from the Western Initiative for Strengthening Education in Math, MLAs Russ Marchuk and Gene Makowsky hosted eight consultation meetings with teachers and frontline administrators from across the province.

"Feedback was generally positive regarding the curriculum but with caveats that additional instructional supports may be required for teachers and parents," Harpauer said. "As a government, we believe a strong education system is critical to sustaining growth and opportunity in Saskatchewan. After hearing from the front line, we have identified specific areas where the ministry can be more responsive in the implementation of renewed curriculum."

The Ministry of Education will immediately focus its attention on:

• Strengthening and expanding professional development opportunities for math teachers, as well as ensuring other essential teaching supports are in place. This includes developing a provincial model for professional development and partnering with school divisions to develop resources to support math instruction.
• Building on the work of interpreting and implementing renewed curriculum that is taking place in various school divisions throughout the province, the ministry will use these best practices to work toward a consistent and comprehensive strategy to improve curriculum roll out.
• The Ministry of Education will connect with parents and guardians through the existing School Community Councils to ensure the necessary supports are in place to provide math assistance at home.

Changes have already been made to the structure within the ministry to better align with goals for improved student achievement across Saskatchewan. In the Student Achievement and Supports branch, individual units are now responsible for curriculum, instruction and assessment. The result of this new balanced approach is better focus and strategic support for Saskatchewan teachers and school divisions.

"While there is good work taking place in the province, there is a need to ensure consistency across all 28 school divisions," Harpauer said. "The Government of Saskatchewan is committed to ensuring that all students have the supports to achieve at the highest levels."

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For more information, contact:

Leya Moore
Education
Regina
Phone: 306-787-1069
Email: leya.moore@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-533-7506