The province has engaged private consultant Avis Glaze to do the independent review.
Zach Churchill says it will look into how Nova Scotia public schools are administered; elected school boards and their central office administration and the administration at the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.
“It does stem from the Myra Freeman report where she said we do need to look at the structure of our education systems to make sure that we’re operating in a way that best serves our students and best utilizes our resources to do so.”
There are 30 recommendations from the panel chaired by Freeman, a former teacher and former Lt.-Governor. Churchill says public participation in an online survey is welcome.
He says because they’re looking at the specifics of governance and administration, he’d appreciate people’s participation particularly those who have interest or expertise in those areas.
Glaze is looking for feedback on three question.
— what administrative changes would you propose should be made to the education system to ensure the focus is on the needs of students?
— what changes would you propose should be made to the Department of Education and Early Child Development?
— what changes would you propose should be made to the administration of school boards?
Here is a link to the survey: https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fnovasco…
To view the terms of reference for the review, visit: https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=www.ednet.ns.ca%2Fadm… .
Meanwhile,
The consultant hired to conduct the review and make recommendations, Ms. Avis Glaze says she comes in with an open mind and no predetermined outcomes.
She recognizes the monumental task ahead of her but says she doesn’t want to waste any time.
“When I go to graduations, what’s uppermost in mind, [is] what didn’t we do that we could’ve done to help set this young person up to be a solution-finder, a global citizen?”
For forty years she has worked with educators around the world to find solutions.
And she says she will use that experience to guide her through this process.
“I am able to bring a sense of what works, not only in a specific school or district or school board, but what works internationally. But, the uniqueness of a place is what’s going to play the key role in our recommendations.”
Glaze has been given just two and a half months to study and report on her findings.
She says she is undaunted because wasted time means missed opportunities for students.
