Program Review: Elementary Alternative Education Program

On 23 June 2009, the Board approved the initiation of a review of its elementary alternative program, which sets out the parameters for the review.

What is the Purpose of the Review?

The questions being asked are: a) Do the principles of alternative education differ from mainstream programs?; and b) should the alternative program at the elementary level be continued?

The purpose of the review is to assess whether and to what extent principles of alternative education programs differ from 'mainstream' or 'traditional' programs, and thereby to:

a) determine whether or not the OCDSB will continue to offer the alternative programming in grades JK-8, with appropriate gaps/bridging mechanisms to be put in place if and where necessary should alternative programs be discontinued; or

b) if it is determined that the alternative program should be continued, to develop a process that focuses on program quality and continuously bringing pedagogical and best practices from the program to the whole District.

How Will the OCDSB Consult?

The OCDSB has formed a steering committee as part of its review process. OCASC, as well as ASAC - the Alternative Schools Advisory Committee each have a representative on that committee.

OCDSB staff have developed a survey (to be completed by October 20, 2009) which will be sent to all elementary school principals and vice-principals, all elementary alternative program teachers, parents of all elementary students enrolled in an alternative programs in September 2009, all grade 10 students who were enrolled in an alternative program in June 2007, as well as their parents, and a random representative sample of elementary teachers, parents of elementary students, and grade 10 students and their parents.

The survey asks to what extent the principles of alternative education are inculcated in alternative programs and non-alternative programs. Those principles are:

* Cooperation and Teamwork

* Commitment to Innovative Approaches

* Student-directed and Teacher-directed Learning

* Multi-Age Groupings

* Integrated Curriculum

* Family and Community-Centered Environment

* Assessment and Evaluation

When will the OCDSB Make Recommendations on the Future of the Elementary Alternative Education Program?

The OCDSB hopes to release an interim report by December 15, 2009, with initial recommendations released by December 31, 2009 and the final report, including recommendations, going to the Director ' s Executive Council, Education Committee and Board for approval by January 26, 2010.

Would you like to be part of a discussion group about the review? Do you have an opinion about alternative education principles and mainstream principles that you would like to share? OCASC encourages you to review the OCDSB's terms of review and consultation plan, and to send us your thoughts on the future of Elementary Alternative Education Programs in the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board.

Please forward your feedback to Madelaine Stewart-Dmaj, our representative on the Steering Committee, prior to October 20, 2009. Feedback will be summarized and brought to the Steering Committee without identifying individual respondents.

We need your feedback so that we can provide the OCDSB with your valuable input.

For a direct link to the OCDSB's Plan for Reviewing Alternative Education and consulting stakeholders, please click here.