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JULY 15, 2016

The Premier’s Task Force On Improving Educational Outcomes

The Provincial Government has announced that the application process for the Premier’s Task Force on Improving Educational Outcomes is now open.  The mandate of the Task Force is:

  • to examine the Kindergarten to grade 12 education system and recommend improvements.  These recommendations will lead to the development of a comprehensive Education Action Plan to better engage students in learning and to foster development of skills and competencies. The Task Force will ensure accountability of the education system to the public through the development of measureable education goals.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers’ Association is a strong advocate for public education and takes seriously its legislated responsibility to promote public dialogue in this regard.  The hard work of the Panel on the Status of Public Education in Newfoundland and Labrador during the past school year, culminating in the recent release of “Better Together: The Report on the Status of Public Education in Newfoundland and Labrador”, clearly demonstrates the Association’s investment in and commitment to furthering the cause of public education in this province.

The Task Force will consist of a chairperson and three members selected through an open call for applications from the public. Government is seeking the following competencies in persons to be appointed to the Task Force:

  • experience and expertise related to the K-12 education system, specifically, teaching, administration, special education, curriculum development, and program evaluation, as well as parenting and educational research.
  • the Task Force should reflect and be able to appreciate and respect needs and issues related to: geography, gender, Francophone learners, newcomers, indigenous learners, school councils, board trustees, persons with disabilities and accessibility, teacher education, early childhood educator education, mental health, LGBTQ, student support services, parents/guardians, early childhood development, school district staff, teachers and school administrators.

It is critical that the expertise, experience and perspectives of NLTA members in the field be heard in this process.  The Association strongly encourages teachers and administrators to consider applying to serve on the Task Force.  Members of the Task Force should be available to work full-time in St. John’s, with travel throughout the province for stakeholder consultations, until a final report is completed, likely in Spring 2017. Applications are being accepted until July 29 and the link to apply online can be found here: http://www.exec-abc.gov.nl.ca/public/agency/detail/?id=786&. Remuneration for Task Force members will be in accordance with Level II Board compensation policies, which can be viewed here: http://www.exec-abc.gov.nl.ca/guidelines_remuneration_rates.pdf.