133,000 Students &
Nova Scotia’s Future
NSSBA’s Strategic Educational Plan
1. Sustainable Funding – 09/10 4.5%
2. Align curriculum with skills and outcomes for the next
generation
3. Continue to support alternate programs
4. Focus on schools as “Professional Learning Communities”
5. Foster collaboration between the NSSBA and all education
partners/ agencies
6. Accelerate the implementation of the capital school
program
7. Province-wide Student Information System (SIS)
NSSBA’s Top Five Resolutions
1. Under-funding of public education
2. Increased inter-agency collaboration
3. Sufficient service in the areas of speech language
pathology and psychology
4. Develop and implement formal literacy
intervention models for Grade 3 students
5. Province-wide Student Information System (SIS)
Presentation to Premier
1.Funding :
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2007/2008 – increase barely covered cost
escalation
2008/2009 – increase was less than cost
escalation
2009/2010 – increase of 4.5% required to
eliminate adjustments as follows:
Massive staff cuts – potential 450 teachers plus support staff, TA’S, etc.
Changes to programs – music, physical education, International Baccalaureate,
French immersion, special education, alternate programs for students at risk
Larger class size
More rigid application of bus service policy
2. Infrastructure funding: School capital program should be among priorities for
funding. Should consider utilization of funds for deferred maintenance projects.
Combine a larger number of projects to reach criteria.
3. We also believe the province must implement a comprehensive student
information system to track the performance of students in a timely fashion. This is
a top priority of the school system.
Education Partners
Investing in Education
www.InvestInEducation.ca
Joint Action Plan
www.nssba.ednet.ns.ca
Background
Joint Education Partners Group
In late 2008, the partners expressed concerns
regarding the financial outlook for public
education in the government's 2009-10
budget. This is of such critical importance that
the partners have combined efforts to urge the
government to continue the investment in
public education.
www.nssba.ednet.ns.ca
Joint Education Partners Initiative
The following partners are involved:
– NSSBA (Nova Scotia School Boards Association)
– NSTU (Nova Scotia Teachers Union)
– NSFHSA (Nova Scotia Federation of Home and
School Associations)
– ANSEA (Association of Nova Scotia Educational
Administrators)
www.nssba.ednet.ns.ca
Key Messages
• Public education needs a 4.5 %
increase to maintain our services to
students
• Contact your MLAs to urge the
government to continue the
investment in public education.
www.nssba.ednet.ns.ca
Key Concerns if no increase
• Significant cuts to staff – both teaching and
support positions
•Changes to programs including
omusic
ophysical education
oInternational Baccalaureate
oFrench immersion
oSpecial education and alternate programs for
students at risk
•Larger class sizes
•Modified busing
www.nssba.ednet.ns.ca
Joint Partners Efforts
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Develop visual identity
Set up website www.InvestInEducation.ca
Set up facebook site
Run 30 sec radio ad during morning drive
time(week of Jan 12)
Run print ads in the Herald, Cape Breton
Post and Le Courrier(week of Jan 12)
Hold joint news conference Jan 15
Meet with editorial boards of the Herald
and Cape Breton Post
Run opinion pieces
www.nssba.ednet.ns.ca
Radio Ad
“Hello I’m Ron Marks, president of the NSSBA with a
message from parents, teachers, administrators and
school boards. In these tough times there is still one
investment that guarantees dividends for all Nova
Scotians. Public education is the key component of our
infrastructure . Our education system needs more
funding to ensure student achievement stays high, our
drop out rate remains low and students at risk can get
the help they need. We cannot falter now! Public
education is our best investment! Contact your MLA.”
www.nssba.ednet.ns.ca
www.nssba.ednet.ns.ca
www.nssba.ednet.ns.ca
www.nssba.ednet.ns.ca
www.nssba.ednet.ns.ca
www.nssba.ednet.ns.ca
Media Coverage
www.nssba.ednet.ns.ca
Media Coverage
www.nssba.ednet.ns.ca
Next Steps
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Meet with MLAs
Run opinion pieces
Speak with SACs, principals
Register on facebook site
Meet with Chambers of Commerce
www.nssba.ednet.ns.ca