GOVERNMENT RECEIVES EDUCATION PANEL RECOMMENDATIONS

Today, Learning Minister Andrew Thomson received the report of the Local Accountability Partnerships Panel. The Panel provided recommendations for enhanced parent and community participation in schools and a provincial framework for local accountability for Kindergarten to Grade 12 education.

"To achieve the full benefits of restructuring, we need to ensure that parents and community members throughout the province have the same opportunities for involvement in local school governance and to influence their children's learning," Thomson said. "I value the important role the Panel has played in conducting such extensive research and providing government with helpful recommendations."

The key issues addressed in the report are maintaining local voice in education planning and decision making within the school divisions; ensuring active participation of parents and community in schools; supporting accountability in K-12 education and supporting the implementation of SchoolPLUS and other policies and programs at the school and community level.

The panel was appointed in February of this year as part of the Education Equity Initiative, a three-phased approach to restructuring Saskatchewan's education system focusing on improving equity, affordability and sustainability. Craig Melvin was appointed to chair the Panel and was joined by two other well-respected members of the education community, Shirley Gange and Gary Shaddock.

"It was a privilege to recommend how public education might better encourage and support families' involvement in their children's education," Melvin said. "The Panel appreciated the excellent advice they received from so many individuals who took the time to participate in the review. We believe our recommendations will extend the strong Saskatchewan commitment to parent and community engagement in their schools. Teachers and children deserve every possible support we can provide."

"The government will provide a substantive response later this fall, after it has conducted a thorough analysis of the recommendations and had an opportunity to review the response of the public and stakeholder groups," Thomson said.

Individuals, groups or organizations who would like to submit written responses to the recommendations are invited to forward them to Strategic Partnerships and Integrated Planning Unit at 2nd Floor, 2220 College Avenue, Regina SK, S4P 4V9 or by email at stratpartaboriged@sasked.gov.sk.ca.

For more information, or a copy of the report visit http://www.sasked.gov.sk.ca.

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For More Information, Contact:

Craig Melvin Local Accountability and Partnerships Panel Regina Phone: (306) 529-3742

Jacquie McLean Learning Regina Phone: (306) 787-5609