New education plan aims to reignite passion for learning

The Liberals unveiled their new vision for public education in New Brunswick last week in an attempt to revive the school system and reignite a passion for learning in both students and teachers.

Education Minister Kelly Lamrock released his long-awaited plan When Kids Come First last Tuesday, which included three goals that reflect the three fundamental stages children will pass through on their journey through the kindergarten to Grade 12 education system.

Those three goals are: every child will arrive at kindergarten ready to learn; every child will leave Grade 5 having mastered the tools to learn - reading, writing and numeracy; and every child will graduate from high school having had the opportunity to discover their personal strengths and to find something they love doing.

The plan, according to Premier Shawn Graham, is designed to ensure the provinces education system fosters innovative, critical thinkers who have been provided with the opportunity to find something that has ignited their passion for learning.

Under the first goal, the plan is to design and implement an Im Ready for School Initiative to prepare children and their families for entry to kindergarten including an outreach program, school readiness clinics and an early language skills assessment.

The education department will also work with other government departments and community partners to develop universal school readiness kits to be sent to all parents of children ages 3 to 5.

Tantramar MLA Mike Olscamp said although he has personal reservations about starting kids in the system too young, he understands there is a need to ensure special education plans are put in place early for those who need it.

Its better to identify problems early, he said.

Under the second goal, Olscamp said he agrees there needs to be adequate resources put in place to ensure every child leaves Grade 5 having mastered the tools to learn the basics of reading, writing, math and science.

As long as the goals are fair and solid and as long as theyre willing to put their energy into ensuring the resources are available, Im pleased with that, he said.

The plan will also ensure resources are available to not only help struggling readers but also to challenge gifted students.

Inclusion is driving his (Lamrocks) mission here, stated Olscamp.

In its third goal, the Liberals hope to engage students more in the learning process by ensuring they find something they love doing.

As a former educator, Olscamp said this passion for learning needs to passed to the students through the teachers.

We need to fire children up, thats for sure, he said. And that passion has to start with the teachers.

He said teachers shouldnt need the government to establish programs such as an Innovative Learning Fund to engage their students.

Its got to come from the heart, he said. Good teachers dont look for innovative grants; theyre innovative in their own way."



Targets expected to be

achieved in N.B. by 2013.

- All kids come to kindergarten school-ready.

- 90% of kids reach the reading standard at Grade 2 and again at Grade 4.

- 90% of kids reach the numeracy standard at Grade 3 and again at Grade 5.

- 85% of students reach or exceed the standard in Grades 6-12 on provincial assessments of literacy, numeracy and science.

- 70% of high school graduates are able to function effectively in speaking their second official language.

- N.B. ranks among the top three in the country on national and international assessments in literacy, numeracy and science.

- First Nations students achieve at levels comparable with their peers on provincial assessments.

- 90% of high school graduates report that they intend to vote in the first election for which they are eligible (federal, provincial, municipal).

- bullying behaviours decrease steadily in New Brunswick schools.

- 90% of teachers report they have been successful in integrating technology in teaching their students.

- 90% of graduates report that they have had opportunities to take courses in the trades, the arts, or co-op or volunteer experience.