South Shore School Board Supports Ministers Initiatives

The province is undertaking a two year pilot project to curtail skipping classes. Beginning next September students who miss more than 20 per cent of class time in a course will receive a failing grade. The Director of Programs & Student Services for the South Shore Regional School Board, Steve Prest, says the Board will be examining it's attendance policy.  He says recognizing that quality classroom instruction is one of the most important factors affecting student learning, and realizing also that instrution can only have an impact when students are present and engaged ,Prest says he thinks the Minister has addressed areas where there is potentional to have impact on the issue of promoting student engagement in schools. Prest also says the focus should be on the emphasis of placing more value on graduating, He says increasing the drop out age to 18 from the current age of 16 would have a minimum impact on keeping students in school. Education Minister Marilyn More has accepted 10 of 13 recommendations made recently by a working committee on absenteeism and classroom climate. The recommendations deal with a mix of greater support for students and stiffer consequences for missing too many classes.