Archived - Evaluation of the First Nations SchoolNet Program - Follow-up Status Update as of March 31, 2010
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Action Plan Implementation Status Update Report to the Evaluation, Performance Measurement and Review Committee - As of March 31, 2010
Education and Social Development Programs and Parnerships - Education Branch
Evaluation of the First Nations SchoolNet Program (200810)
AEC Approval Date: 26/Feb/2009
| Project Recommendations |
Action Plan | Expected Completion Date |
Program Response |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Consider the renewal of First Nations SchoolNet in order to ensure access to Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and e-learning which contributes to the overall objectives for education and which supports the educational outcomes of First Nations learners. | INAC Education Branch has obtained a renewal for the FNS program until March 31, 2011 at status quo funding levels. The Branch is also developing program documentation to support, on a go forward basis, access to ICT and eLearning for First Nations learners. | Renewal Complete
Other Documentation - September 2009 |
Status: Completed. Request to Close. Renewal and program documentation Complete. AES Comment: File Closed |
| 2. Explore options to ensure adequate technical support is available to First Nations SchoolNet, to maximize economies of scale. | An in-depth follow up is planned to review current and future
FNS requirements for technical support including: connectivity
levels, help desk support, capacity building and ICT skills development.
This will allow the Education Branch to develop and assess policy
and programming options with the specific objective of ensuring
that adequate technical support is provided to FN schools. These
options will build upon and enhance IT RMO strategies in maximizing
economies of scale and scope. The resulting study will entail: 1) an environmental scan; 2) a gap analysis; and, 3) the development of options and modalities for program delivery. |
Environmental Scan - July 2009 Gap Analysis – May 2010 Options – June 2010 |
Status: In Progress Update/Rationale: As of 31/03/2010: An analysis of provincial vs. FN connectivity levels within schools has been undertaken- August 2009. RMO s are currently collecting data for an environmental scan of technical supports within FN schools. Data collection was completed March 31, 2010. A gap analysis and options are currently underway for May 30, 2010. AES: Close |
| 3. Integrate First Nations SchoolNet (FNS) into the overarching Education program within INAC to maximize the impact of ICT to facilitate learning. | INAC Education Branch will review FNS objectives and outcomes
against those of the overarching INAC Education program. The important
role ICT s play for the facilitation of learning will be considered
in the development of INAC's Reforming First Nations Education
efforts. An assessment related to eLearning is currently underway as a critical first step to support this work. |
A Preliminary eLearning assessment is to be Completed
by September 2009 Other Efforts are ongoing |
Status: On track As of 31/03/2010: Preliminary eLearning assessment completed Spring 2009. Additional research is currently being conducted by the Conference Board of Canada (includes stakeholders such as INAC Regional Offices, FNS IT RMO s, teachers, principals, community members and education authorities). First Phase of Conference Board work sought feedback on how FNS can be integrated into overall Education Programs and services as well as prepared a detailed literature review. Completed march 31. Phase two of Conference Board work will focus on program options and associated costing to further integrate FNS into broader INAC programming. Phase ll Deadline – October 2010. Alignment with Education Reform efforts – Ongoing. AES: to close, part of new evaluation |
| 4. Develop a Performance Measurement Strategy for First Nations SchoolNet that enables the collection of relevant performance measurement data to be able to measure progress towards articulated outcomes. This strategy will need to be integrated into the broader strategy for Education as a whole. | The Education Branch has begun the process of developing a Web-based
Performance Measurement System for Education (PMSE) that will be
a comprehensive national education information system for school/institution-based
learning in which INAC and First Nations have
a shared interest and responsibility. The PMSE is
intended to integrate information about all of the education programs
managed by INAC, including First Nations SchoolNet. An important part of the development of the PMSE is the early identification of relevant performance measures and corresponding data requirements for each education program, including First Nations SchoolNet. |
Strategy to be Completed by January 2010, after
discussion with First Nations in Fall 2009. The PMSE will be Operational in September 2011 |
Status: Completed As of 31/03/2010: Indicators developed and integrated into an umbrella PM Strategy scheduled for consideration at EPMRC in May and in June. Correction: The EIS will be operational in September 2012. |
| 5. Undertake a review of connectivity to determine whether the broader connectivity needs of First Nation communities are being met by First Nations SchoolNet, whether this is an appropriate role for the program, and whether the Federal Government has a role to play in meeting the broader connectivity needs of First Nation communities. | The Education Branch has recently commenced work on a project
to develop a "Connectivity Review" of First Nations communities,
including schools. In order to ensure we build on work and investments already in place, this review will be undertaken with counterparts in other directorates and branches at INAC and other OGDs to: 1. identify the organizations best fitted to address various responsibilities and accountabilities for the components involved in the delivery of the First Nations SchoolNet Program, and 2. to meet the Government's commitment to ensure adequate connectivity access and to support First Nations schools. |
Ongoing September 2009 | Status: On track Update/Rationale: As of 31/03/2010: Connectivity issues are under consideration as part of the department's work on a National Aboriginal Connectivity Strategy. Request to Close. AES: Recommend that this remain open until the National Aboriginal Connectivity Strategy is complete AES Comment: PM Strategy development, approval and implementation monitoring, and implementation of the EIS underway. |