Quebec Reveals a Thirteen-Step Program to Target Dropout Rate

A long-awaited plan for the success of Quebec students was unveiled today by Education Minister Michelle Courchesne. It consists of thirteen steps to raise the graduation rate to 80 percent - up by eight percent - by the year 2020, says The Gazette. Under the plan we will see the government injecting $160 million each year into a variety of programs to reduce class sizes in the primary grades, to continue funding of homework help programs, to aid early identification of children with learning difficulties, and even to restore many extra-curricular activities at the secondary level.

Courchesne admits the plan is ambitious, but is quoted as saying it is possible to achieve the goals. A major focus of the discussion around school success in Quebec has been the relatively low value placed on education. It is not a coincidence that the success plan begins by talking to parents about the importance of being involved, because schools cannot fight the dropout problem alone.

While the government has been criticized for the poor success rate of the province's students, Courchesne's new document paints quite a rosy picture in which graduation rates have already improved by 5.5 percent from 2002-2003 to 2007-2008.

However, Max Harrold of The Gazette reports that only 60.2 percent of students currently graduate after the usual five years of high school. Many will take one or even two years extra to graduate, or will return as adults to continuing education facilities. In addition, Quebec is fighting a 29 percent dropout rate - the worst in Canada and still growing.

As Courchesne is encouraging parents to teach their children to love school and become more involved in the school community, parents of English speaking students in their final year of high school still do not have the assurance of knowing their children will be provided with adequate textbooks. A perusal of the approved texts list on the Ministry's web site today showed not a single book in any subject area for the final year of high school.

Similarly, books are still lacking for both English Language Arts and French as a Second Language, throughout the entire primary range. Teachers of classes at these all important earliest years are expected to do their best to instruct their classes with a mix of printable materials gathered from numerous sources. Teachers at the secondary level use a mixture of approved texts, last minute translations delivered one chapter at a time from an ad hoc translation committee, and whatever resources they can find. English text availability is better in math and science, and in the social studies.

The Minister's school success plan was released in French. There does not appear to be any English translation available at this time.

Sources:

"English boards will look to build on current success rates - QESBA welcomes Minister Courchesne's high-school completion plan." CNW Telbec.

"Instructional materials approved by the Minister of Education, Recreation and Sports
by level education." Québec Education Program.

Max Harrold, "Low marks for graduation rates: Stay-in-school initiative planned."The Gazette.

"Minister announces new education strategy."The Gazette.

«L'école, j'y tiens: Tous ensemble pour la réussite scolaire.»Ministère de l'Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport