School District #27 (SD27) superintendent Diane Wright held a public meeting on the personalized learning program at Peter-Skene Ogden Secondary School (PSO) on Feb. 23 that brought out a total of 60 parents, students, teachers and trustees.
In a PowerPoint presentation, Wright covered many of the potential aspects of implementing the program, including learning outcomes, foundational skills, and the difference between learning and knowing.
She said that despite the B.C. school system being one of the best in the world, it is time for something different through an educational program where every learner is recognized.
Learning in a environment similar to what the program is all about, she described the positive comments she received from Grade 4-5 students during a recent visit to Lac la Hache Elementary School, who explained how they felt about multi-grade classrooms.
These young children told their superintendent what works really well is how their teacher helps them move to the next level, how they help each other with that, and that it's about being able to do more and more, and learn further, Wright explained.
"They really felt supported in that ongoing learning, and I've heard that at Big Lake [Elementary School], and I've also heard that today [at PSO] with a couple of students talking about the science program.
"They know how to find the right teacher to find the learning and coaching that they need to understand a concept."
SD27 south end Trustees Will Van Osch and Pete Penner attended the meeting and took part in discussions and work groups.
Van Osch says he is "intrigued" by the concept.
"I like the idea of having different grades and different aged kids together in multi-grade classes; it probably creates a more natural environment for students to learn."
While he likes the idea of not "pigeon-holing" children into strict grades, Van Osch notes if the education system is to continue to compete globally, some benchmarks such as grades will still be needed for things like applying to foreign universities.
After the presentation folks broke into groups to answer specific questions on various topics from a draft personalized learning document from the Ministry of Education (MOE) through brainstorming and dialogue.
A host of related comments came up in each group's search for answers, including identifying the need for individual access through a notebook computer for each child, and asking how all students will keep up with and maintain access to technology with the current gaps in internet coverage.
Wright will send the comments from all of the groups to the MOE along with those collected at other meetings, she said, adding the ministry is happy she is doing that and encouraged her to "keep them coming."
All the other feedback Wright is garnering from the school board, principals, district parent advisory committee and SD27 staff will also provide input to finalized the document, which Wright said she expects to be released in the new few months.
