Inclusive Education of Success for All Students

Table of Contents Introduction ........................................................................................... 5 Overview: Department of Education .......................................................7 Early Childhood Education ......................................................................... 9 Kindergarten to Grade 12........................................................................15 Adult Learning and Educational Initiatives ...............................................33 Education Act Implementation 2014–2015 ..............................................36 Appendices ........................................................................................ 38 Introduction Education is the top priority of the Government and the system have a better picture of where students of Nunavut. stand to influence lesson planning and modification, regardless of the language of instruction. Finally, the To support a strong education system, the department committed to increase the quality and Department of Education is developing lasting frequency of training and professional development partnerships between students, the staff who opportunities for employees so that they will become support them, families, communities, stakeholders more confident and proficient in teaching and assessing and neighbouring jurisdictions. These partnerships literacy skills such as reading, writing and word work. enable us to reach our goal to build an education system that provides the best possible learning In 2014–2015, the Department of Education introduced opportunities for all Nunavummiut. the comprehensive literacy framework in Kindergarten and Grade 1. The program will be introduced gradually The learning opportunities include an endeavour to in other levels in the coming years as resources are increase high school graduation rates and ensure that developed. Ultimately, the Department of Education our youth graduate from high school with the same intends to implement a consistent approach in teaching capability as graduates from anywhere in Canada. literacy across regions, communities or language of To do this, we are strengthening the learning environment instruction. in our schools by developing an equitable education The Department of Education, in partnership with system. This system provides quality learning experiences schools, students, families, stakeholders and communities, that lead to graduation and ensures an equal opportunity are working to establish a functional inclusive education of success for all students. model that is effective, accountable, equitable and Further, because strong literacy skills are the key to standardized across Nunavut. We are in the beginning learning success, the Department of Education focuses stages of identifying needs, and considering what on helping schools increase the literacy outcomes of lessons can be learned from across Canada to ensure students in all official languages. In 2014–2015, the that all Nunavut students are given the supports and department started to introduce a comprehensive accommodations they need to engage successfully literacy framework for Nunavut schools that supports with the Nunavut education program. effective approaches to teaching our students how to Education is a shared responsibility and I encourage read and write in Inuktut, English and French. parents and families to embrace the important role A comprehensive literacy framework involves intensive they play in supporting learning at any age because efforts to establish new literacy programs and update their support is invaluable. curricular expectations. Likewise, the department Thank you to all Education staff, District Education started the initial stages of developing teaching and Authorities, parents, Elders and community partners for learning resources to support quality instruction in their work in contributing to the success of our learners. Nunavut’s classrooms. Further, new approaches to assessing and reporting student progress were aligned Honourable Paul Aarulaaq Quassa to literacy instruction to ensure that teachers, parents Minister of Education Introduction Department of Education • Annual Report 2014–2015 5 6 7 Overview Department of Education The Department of Education, under the Minister of Discipline Regulations help in the development of a Education, is responsible for programs and services that high-quality environment for learning. support the following: early childhood education, the K-12 school system, adult learning and educational initiatives, The department works to create an education system and literacy. that supports and encourages life-long learning and is responsive to the economy, through curriculum and A wide range of programs and services are provided to resource development; early childhood programming; Nunavummiut that encourage and support self-reliance, and by incorporating Inuit societal values, language and and guide individuals toward productive decisions for culture into all programs and services. themselves and their communities. In 2014 the Government of Nunavut allocated In order to successfully deliver these programs and meet Education $184,230,000 (13% ) of the total budget* the needs of Nunavummiut, the department has developed of $1,382,989,000. Consequently, the Department of partnerships within Nunavut and throughout Canada. Education allocated K-12 operations 83% of its total These partnerships involve Elders, schools, communities, budget. Funds totalling $157,654,000 supported school Nunavut Arctic College, District Education Authorities operations in all regions and also contributed to the including the Commission scolaire francophone du support of operations by District Education Authorities, Nunavut, the Coalition of Nunavut District Education the Coalition of Nunavut District Education Authorities Authorities, other Government of Nunavut departments, and the Commission scolaire francophone du Nunavut the federal government, businesses and Inuit organiza- through a number of grant and contribution payments. tions, and public and non-profit boards and agencies. The Education Act requires that Nunavut’s calculated Likewise, legislation and regulations in the Education Student Educator Ratio (SER) remain lower than that Act assist in the development of a unique learning of the latest nationally calculated SER. In 2013–2014, environment. The department constantly works Statistics Canada revealed that Nunavut’s Student with education partners to engage and recognize the Educator Ratio of 13.1 compares favourably to the needs of communities. Regulations such as the Early national SER of 13.8. More information on how Childhood Program Regulations, the Inclusive Education SER is calculated can be found on the Department Regulations and the Inuuqatigiitsiarniq Policy and of Education website.† * Department of Finance Main Estimates 2014–15; ISBN # 978-1-55325-255-6 † http://www.gov.nu.ca/sites/default/files/ser_bkgrdr_eng.pdf 6 Overview: Department of Education Department of Education • Annual Report 2014–2015 7 Table 1: 2014–2015 Budgets and Expenditures for Major Programs and Lines of Business* 2014–15 DEPARTMENTAL BUDGETS AND EXPENDITURES BY DIVISION BUDGET ($,000) ACTUAL ($,000)1 EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION $6,484 $4,298 KINDERGARTEN TO GRADE 12 $154,135 $163,777 CURRICULUM AND SCHOOL SERVICES $16,367 $11,827 ADULT LEARNING AND POST-SECONDARY $1,270 $812 TOTAL $178,256 $180,713 * The “Budget” column shows an estimate of proposed expenditures for the fiscal year whereas “Actual” shows the final expenditures. 8 Department of Education • Annual Report 2014–2015 Overview: Department of Education 9 Early Childhood Education The early years of a child’s life lay the foundation for The Early Childhood Education division supports early lifelong health, development and well-being. Parents are childhood programs and services for children from birth a child’s first teachers and they, along with other family to age 6 and for licensed out-of-school programs for members, play a pivotal role in the early development of children up to age 12. It also promotes quality childcare language, culture, values, and beliefs of their children. by licensing, inspecting, and providing support and guidance to all early childhood programs by providing The Early Childhood Education division promotes workshops and training opportunities for parents and awareness of early childhood issues within communities, early childhood educators, and providing support for and supports community-based organizations in devel- special needs children. oping and providing quality and culturally-appropriate early childhood education and childcare programs that support parents and families. It also encourages young parents who are still students themselves to continue working toward their high school diplomas. 8 Early Childhood Education Department of Education • Annual Report 2014–2015 9 Table 2: 2014–2015 Budgets and Expenditures for Early Childhood Education — Specific Programs* 2014–2015 EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAM BUDGETS AND BUDGET ACTUAL1 EXPENDITURES BY PROGRAM ($,000) DAYCARE OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE $2,150 $1,563 DISTRICT EDUCATION AUTHORITY – EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION FUNDING $1,000 $511 EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION ADMINISTRATION $1,252 $1,111 EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION TRAINING $200 $72 DAYCARE SECURITY UPGRADE $834 $269 HEALTHY CHILDREN INITIATIVE $908 $650 YOUNG PARENTS STAY LEARNING $140 $122 TOTAL $6,484 $4,298 *The “Budget” column shows an estimate of proposed expenditures

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