Spring 2021 Volume 1 | Edition 6 In this issue, you will find: • New and existing programmes across Ontario (* as allowed by public health) • Instructor Reflections on the Pandemic Year • Student and Parent Testimonials • Creative and Innovative approaches to sustain learning • Data updates on the success of dual credits • Our new “Vocabulary List” • New and updated learning opportunities for students • Growth in success for female students in non-traditional roles • Articles which highlight the growth of opportunities for all students to excel in the trades. SCWI Spring 2021 2021 Co-Management Team What to look Ministry for throughout Bill Swift, Manager this edition Apprenticeship Branch, Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development Dianne Oliphant, Director Testimonials, Pauline McNaughton, Manager observations and Skills Development and Apprenticeship Branch, Student Achievement Division, feedback from students Ministry of Education Luc Davet, Director Covid Diaries French-Language Education, Policies and Programs Branch French-Language Stories from our staff about Teaching, Learning and Achievement Division, Ministry of Education/ their experiences in educating Ministry of Colleges and Universities students and working within Colleges the schools during a global Lise Bourgeois, Présidente, La Cité pandemic. Kathleen Lynch, President, Confederation College Linda Franklin, President and CEO, Colleges Ontario The Sheridan Chronicles District School Boards Facilitating online learning Terry Lyons, Director of Education,Windsor-Essex CDSB and workshops while keeping Stuart Miller, Director of Education, Halton DSB students engaged. François Turpin, Directeur de l’éducation, CSDC de l’est Ontarien CODE/SCWI Wraparound Tony Pontes, Project Manager, CODE Supports kept our David Armstrong, Project Officer, SCWI Students Engaged What is SCWI? The School College Work Initiative is a cooperative effort with a mandate to assist in creating a seamless transition for students from secondary school to college. In addition to a wide array of learning and awareness opportunities for students, teachers, parents and the wider community, projects have been developed to provide dual credit programs for secondary students through the partnership of secondary schools and colleges. In 2011, a site for RPT chairs and staff was designed, it is available at www.scwi.ca and www.iject.ca. Our sites are constantly being updated to reflect progress, changes, tools and resources, and to honour extensive input from our 16 RPTs. This is a handy source for RPT and DC information. A collaboration of the Council of Directors of Education (CODE) and the Committee of College Presidents (COP), SCWI is jointly supported by the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Colleges & Universities and the Ministry of Labour, Training & Skills Development. This website is updated on an ongoing basis. 2 Discover SCHOOL I COLLEGE I WORK at: www.gotocollege.ca Ministry of Education Highlights on SCWI Dual Credits in 2020-21 The second half of the 2019-20 school year saw a shift to remote learning and educators and students navigated the field of virtual learning. Many dual credit programs, and activities and forums shifted to virtual delivery. Where hands-on, lab-based components could not be delivered, Regional Planning Teams swiftly and adeptly changed course offerings to minimize the impact of course cancellations on dual credit students, particularly for those students in their final year of obtaining their Ontario Secondary School Diploma. The start of the 2020-21 school year in Ontario was unlike any other. As schools re-opened and then shifted to remote learning, flexibility and innovation were central to ensuring the continuity of learning for students. The commitment, perseverance and adaptability of all school board and college staff involved in dual credit program planning and delivery does not go unnoticed. Your dedication towards improving the educational outcomes of students, particularly during these exceptional times, is remarkable. In 2020-21, students are enrolled in over 24,000 dual credits, including adult student enrolment in over 1,150 dual credits. Adult dual credit students and students enrolled in a School Within A College dual credit program continue to be provided with wrap-around supports virtually, where possible, through one-on-one and small group conversations with a college advisor, and funding for OCAS and/or OUAC student applications. For a second year, transition supports are available for Level 1 dual credit students on a pilot basis in 2020-21, including group and individual conversations with a college advisor, as well as professional development and resources for college advisors to assist students in addressing and overcoming barriers to continuing their apprenticeship training. As we continue to adapt to the evolving pandemic and its impacts on both teaching and learning, we are confident in the expertise and knowledge of Regional Planning Teams to identify, recognize and support the learning needs of dual credit students in their respective regions. The focus of the dual credit program remains on the primary target group – those students who are disengaged, face significant challenges in completing the requirements for graduation or who left school before graduating but who demonstrate the potential to succeed in college or apprenticeship. For a detailed list of the eligibility criteria for the program, please refer to the Appendix: Selection Criteria for Admission to Dual Credit Programs beginning on page 29 of the Dual Credit Programs: Policy and Program Requirements, 2020 (http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/teachers/studentsuccess/DualCreditPro.pdf). SCWI Spring 2021 SCWI Reflections: The Future of SCWI David Armstrong, Project Officer This Spring 2021 issue of the SCWI Newsletter/IJECT Bulletin reflects the fine work of staff from Ontario colleges, secondary schools, various ministries and our team at SCWI. As our newsletter coordinator, Michael Smith has said: “This will become an important archive issue for future readers, as it focuses on the extraordinary work of our teams to deal with the ever-shifting landscape of COVID.” I want to thank Michael and our French-language newsletter coordinator, Maurice Proulx, along with our designer Andrea Kiff, for their excellent work at putting together these comprehensive documents. I also want to thank all of those who have contributed articles and photos covering the SCWI programs and activities that have occurred during this past year at Ontario colleges, school boards and at sites necessitated by the pandemic. Like many of you, I’m sure, and with a strong sense of optimism, I am beginning to think about the world beyond COVID, a world where we can see one another face-to- face, a world where, once again, almost anything is possible. I am absolutely convinced that SCWI will continue to play an important role in that happier future world of Ontario education. Since 1997 SCWI has existed, and the program has thrived based on the strong collaboration of partners from the province’s colleges and school boards. In the future I have no doubt about the ability of our initiative to gain from the frontline experience and expertise that will be central to our ability to adapt and “pivot”, as necessary, to meet the needs of identified learners. And I remain convinced that the numbers of those learners in secondary schools who are not achieving to their full potential will not decline. In fact, we are already seeing that those students are increasing in number due to the pandemic. SCWI and the dual credit program in particular will be extremely important to these students, in my opinion, as we strive to regain and improve levels of student success. The specific and very practical aspects of our SCWI programming will be very interesting to watch as they unfold. I’m sure it’s safe to predict that we will see an ongoing presence of online and hybrid learning opportunities, forums and activities. I am also hopeful that the advisory/support roles that are part of our current “Wraparound” programs will be expanded to serve more students as appropriate. For several years I have been happy to participate in a networking session at the annual Symposium entitled “The Future of SCWI”. This session invites participants to contribute their ideas as to where our initiative ought to proceed in time. From this session over the years, we have heard or reflected upon many excellent innovations, such as: summer dual credits, adult dual credits, summer SWAC, OCAS application vouchers and so on. As I write I am looking forward to hearing more about our future possibilities at this year’s Symposium. Once again, on behalf of SCWI and those we serve, thank you, all. Testimonials, Observations and Feedback from Students SWAC helped me become a better student and better person; it taught me to be more honest and hardworking and making better choices. ~ Shamrez Shah GECDSB I’ve had lots of fun in these classes and found it very easy to interact during discussions! Thank you, Val and Adriana! ~ Raabia Siddiqi GECDSB 4 Discover SCHOOL I COLLEGE I WORK at: www.gotocollege.ca Styling in Niagara The District School Board of Niagara is pleased to be running their first Level 1 apprentice program, Hairstyling with College Oversight, in collaboration with Niagara College. The program has brought students from across the Niagara Region to Stamford Collegiate in Niagara Falls to complete the Level 1 requirements in conjunction with the secondary school curriculum. Students praise teacher Liz Digaetano indicating that she wants to see them do well and doesn’t see them as students, but as future professionals. In addition to health and safety, entrepreneurship and client service students are being challenged with advanced cutting and colouring techniques. “This program really reinforced that this is the right career path for me”, said grade 12 student, Ilyssia. Grade 12 student, Madison, has always had an artistic side. She is in the Arts and Culture Specialist High Skills Major program at Stamford and enjoys being part of the program where everyone has similar goals.