The report outlines many activities planned or underway to implement a new Student Achievement Action Plan which is based on the recommendations of the Task Force on Student Achievement.

Minister Dover said the task force recommended that government monitor the implementation of the recommendations and report on its progress to the Legislature within two years. In response, the minister asked staff to provide her with an update twice a year. Today she tabled her first report.

The report highlights the extensive work being done to improve early learning and literacy. A comprehensive framework has been completed that identifies the steps to be taken and the resources that will be required to ensure that children are reading at a grade 3 level by the end of grade 3. Early literacy mentors have been hired and they are working with elementary schools to improve literacy among grades 1 to 3 students. Intensive interventions are being tested to assist children with learning difficulties as early as possible. Three school psychologists have been hired to assess children at risk for learning disabilities.

New math and language arts assessment specialists are in place. They are teachers who will be working with teachers to develop and administer common assessments this year in grade 3 language arts and grade 9 math. A provincial strategy is being developed to engage more parents in their children’s learning. A committee has been formed to review the high school scheduling model and make recommendations to the Minister by the fall of 2007.

Minister Dover commended the staff of the Department of Education and the schools boards for working quickly to put these plans in place following the April budget announcement that $9 million would be made available over the next three years to improve student achievement. “I am very pleased with the huge volume of excellent work that has been done in a very short time,” she said. “I am confident that this will result in greater success for students.”

The progress report is available on the website at www.gov.pe.ca/go/progressreport.