Summative Evaluation of Elementary and Secondary Education - Follow-up Report Status Update as of September 30, 2014
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Action Plan Implementation Status Update Report to the Evaluation, Performance Measurement and Review Committee - As of September 30, 2014
Education and Social Development Programs and Partnerships – Education Branch
| Project Recommendations | Action Plan | Expected Completion Date |
Program Response |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Develop a strategic and transparent Framework for the investment of new funds that are explicitly allocated to facilitate improvements in student success in the short term. | In Budget 2008, the Government of Canada announced the First Nation Student Success Program (FNSSP). The FNSSP supports projects aimed at improving student outcomes in reading, writing and mathematics as well as those aimed at school retention. The department's web site describes: the program objectives in detail; the assessment and selection process; as well as Program Guidelines. Pursuant to commitments outlined in Budget 2012, the Government of Canada will:
The findings of this evaluation will be taken into account when developing options for moving forward. |
Funding commitments for the Strong Schools, Successful Students Initiative conclude in Spring 2015 | Status: Underway Update/Rationale: As of 30/09/2014: Following Budget 2012, time-limited First Nation education investments were put into place to support early literacy programming and services, partnerships, and structural readiness activities through the Strong Schools, Successful Initiative. Significant resources have been allocated and new eligible activities have been created to specifically target interventions from K4 to Grade 3. Successful early interventions are heavily correlated with improved outcomes. The ability to monitor progress will be enhanced through Education Information System functionality. In April 2014, following extensive consultation with First Nations parents, teachers, schools, and leaders across the country, the Government of Canada introduced the First Nations Control of First Nations Education Act (Bill C-33) in the House of Commons. The Bill sought to provide a legislative basis that would ensure that First Nations students on reserve receive a high quality education comparable with provincial education systems. To support this goal, the Bill would have established minimum standards in key service areas and create a stable, predictable, and sustainable statutory funding mechanism. Given recent developments, the Bill has been placed on hold, and will not move forward without the stated support of the Assembly of First Nations. To support the reforms proposed in Bill C-33, the Prime Minister announced new investments totalling an additional $1.9 billion for First Nations education on February 7, 2014. This funding would assist First Nations in developing the structures and capacities to offer a high quality education that would prepare their students for success in the labour market. AES: Underway. Full implementation of this recommendation will depend on the future direction of legislation. |
| 2. Undertake further research into funding allocation methodologies that are equitable to provincial approaches, while at the same time accounting for cost realities on-reserve. | In Budget 2008, the Government of Canada announced the First Nation Student Success Program (FNSSP). The FNSSP supports projects aimed at improving student outcomes in reading, writing and mathematics as well as those aimed at school retention. The department's web site describes: the program objectives in detail; the assessment and selection process; as well as Program Guidelines. Pursuant to commitments outlined in Budget 2012, the Government of Canada will:
The findings of this evaluation will be taken into account when developing options for moving forward. |
Fall 2014 | Status: Underway Update/Rationale: As of 30/09/2014 Following Budget 2012, the Government of Canada has been exploring mechanisms to ensure stable, predictable, and sustainable funding for First Nation and elementary and secondary education. In April 2014, following extensive consultation with First Nations parents, teachers, schools, and leaders across the country, the Government of Canada introduced the First Nations Control of First Nations Education Act (Bill C-33) in the House of Commons. The Bill sought to ensure that First Nations students on reserve receive a high quality education comparable with provincial education systems. To help achieve this aim, the Bill would create a statutory funding mechanism that would ensure that First Nations receive stable, predictable, and sustainable funding to support their education programs. Given recent developments, the Bill has been placed on hold and will not move forward without the stated support of the Assembly of First Nations. As the Department explores alternative options for advancing education reform, work will continue on improving the funding allocations methodologies that support First Nations education. AES: Underway. Full implementation of this recommendation will depend on the future direction of legislation. |
| 3. Ensure that future policy and program exercises develop clearly defined roles, responsibilities, and accountabilities for Elementary and Secondary Education. | In Budget 2008, the Government of Canada announced the First Nation Student Success Program (FNSSP). The FNSSP supports projects aimed at improving student outcomes in reading, writing and mathematics as well as those aimed at school retention. The department's web site describes: the program objectives in detail; the assessment and selection process; as well as Program Guidelines. Pursuant to commitments outlined in Budget 2012, the Government of Canada will:
The findings of this evaluation will be taken into account when developing options for moving forward. |
Fall 2014 | Status: Underway Update/Rationale: As of 30/09/2014 Clearly defining roles, responsibilities and accountabilities as described in the evaluation has been given particular consideration in the review and/or revisions to all program guidelines in 2013-2014 and 2014-2015. Similarly, Data Collection Instruments (DCIs), which recipients use to create funding proposals and to report on completed projects, are a key tool for program clarity and accountability. DCIs are also reviewed annually. In April 2014, following extensive consultation with First Nations parents, teachers, schools, and leaders across the country, the Government of Canada introduced the First Nations Control of First Nations Education Act (Bill C-33) in the House of Commons. The Bill sought to ensure that First Nations students on reserve receive a high quality education comparable with provincial education systems. To help realize this goal, Bill C-33 clarified the roles, responsibilities, and accountabilities of key actors in First Nations education, including the Minister, Band Councils, Education Directors, and Principals. Given recent developments, the Bill has been placed on hold and will not move forward without the stated support of the Assembly of First Nations. AES: Underway. Full implementation of this recommendation will depend on the future direction of legislation. |
| 4. Explore and pursue options for the comprehensive development of second and higher-level services where possible and appropriate to reduce administrative burden and overhead costs, while supporting First nations in developing long-term capacity for service management. | In Budget 2008, the Government of Canada announced the First Nation Student Success Program (FNSSP). The FNSSP supports projects aimed at improving student outcomes in reading, writing and mathematics as well as those aimed at school retention. The department's web site describes: the program objectives in detail; the assessment and selection process; as well as Program Guidelines. Pursuant to commitments outlined in Budget 2012, the Government of Canada will:
The findings of this evaluation will be taken into account when developing options for moving forward. |
On-going and, where applicable, funding commitments for the Strong Schools, Successful Students Initiative conclude in Spring 2015 | Status: Underway Update/Rationale: As of 30/09/2014 Time-limited funding announced through the Strong Schools, Successful Students Initiative in Budget 2012was intended to support the development of organizational capacity for the delivery of 2nd level education supports and services, and was administered through the Education Partnerships Program (EPP) and First Nation Student Success Program (FNSSP). In September 2014, the Department launched a 2014-2015 Directed Interim Call for Proposals to support the Structural Readiness activities leading to specific governance models under the Strong Schools, Successful Students Initiative. The Department also launched the Education Organization Planning Tool (EOPT), designed to support regional First Nation organizations in reflecting on current priorities, mapping assets, assessing needs, and building a Capacity Development Plan. The resulting Plans have been used to access funding to support and strengthen the capacity of organizations in the delivery of education programs and services to band-operated schools. AES: Underway. Full implementation of this recommendation will depend on the future direction of legislation. |
| 5. Work with First Nations to develop strategies to strengthen culture and language retention as it relates to better student outcomes. | In Budget 2008, the Government of Canada announced the First Nation Student Success Program (FNSSP). The FNSSP supports projects aimed at improving student outcomes in reading, writing and mathematics as well as those aimed at school retention. The department's web site describes: the program objectives in detail; the assessment and selection process; as well as Program Guidelines. Pursuant to commitments outlined in Budget 2012, the Government of Canada will:
The findings of this evaluation will be taken into account when developing options for moving forward. |
Fall 2014 | Status: Underway Update/Rationale: As of 30/09/2014: The existing Elementary and Secondary Education program provides funding for activities which support culture and language learning and counselling. Further, the existing Cultural Education Centre Program funds cultural education centres through the national and regional offices as well as through the First Nations Confederacy of Cultural Education Centres. In April 2014, following extensive consultation with First Nations parents, teachers, schools, and leaders across the country, the Government of Canada introduced the First Nations Control of First Nations Education Act (Bill C-33) in the House of Commons. The Bill sought to ensure that First Nations students on reserve receive a high quality education comparable with provincial education systems. Bill C-33 included a clause committing the Minister to provide funding to support the study of First Nations language and culture as part of an education program. Given recent developments, the Bill has been placed on hold and will not move forward without the stated support of the Assembly of First Nations. The findings of this evaluation will continue to be taken into account as the Department continues its education reform initiatives. AES: Underway. Full implementation of this recommendation will depend on the future direction of legislation. |
| 6. Examine the implications of integrating support for early childhood education in AANDC's education portfolio. | Concur in part Early childhood education and adult education are under the mandate of Health Canada and HRSDC, respectively. To the extent that integrating early childhood education and adult education fall within the mandates of other departments, the recommendation raises a machinery of government issues that are beyond this Department's abilities/authority to change.To the extent possible, the department will work to develop early literacy programming, high school retention and active measures to ensure that the coverage of the various departments' responsibilities is coordinated. |
Fall 2014 | Status: Underway Update/Rationale: As of 30/09/2014 To the extent possible, the Department will work to develop early literacy programming and measures to ensure that the coverage of the various departments' responsibilities is coordinated. These efforts are ongoing This will continue as the Department continues its education reform initiatives. AES: Underway. Full implementation of this recommendation will depend on the future direction of legislation. |
| 7. Examine the implications of integrating support for adult education in AANDC's education portfolio. | Concur in part Early childhood education and adult education are under the mandate of Health Canada and HRSDC, respectively. To the extent that integrating early childhood education and adult education fall within the mandates of other departments, the recommendation raises a machinery of government issues that are beyond this Department's abilities/authority to change.To the extent possible, the department will work to develop early literacy programming, high school retention and active measures to ensure that the coverage of the various departments' responsibilities is coordinated. |
Fall 2014 | Status: Underway Update/Rationale: As of 30/09/2014: To the extent possible, the Department will work to develop high school retention and measures to ensure that the coverage of the various departments' responsibilities is coordinated. This will continue as the Department continues its education reform initiatives. It is noteworthy that the actions of provinces, in adult education, on and off reserves, also have to be taken into account. AES: Underway. Full implementation of this recommendation will depend on the future direction of legislation. |
| 8. Develop a strategy to work with First Nations in building the capacity to strengthen the provision of special needs assessments and services. | In Budget 2008, the Government of Canada announced the First Nation Student Success Program (FNSSP). The FNSSP supports projects aimed at improving student outcomes in reading, writing and mathematics as well as those aimed at school retention. The department's web site describes: the program objectives in detail; the assessment and selection process; as well as Program Guidelines. Pursuant to commitments outlined in Budget 2012, the Government of Canada will:
The findings of this evaluation will be taken into account when developing options for moving forward. |
Fall 2014 | Status: Underway Update/Rationale: As of 30/09/2014: The existing Special Education Program includes direct and indirect funding intended to improve special education programs, including certain costs related to professional development. The findings of this evaluation will be taken into account as the dialogue on education reform continues. AES: Underway. Full implementation of this recommendation will depend on the future direction of legislation. |