HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2007-07-11, Page 33News
Large schools and communities see more
benefits from high skills major programs
Stew Slater
On the one hand, the Ontario govern-
ment's Specialist High Skills Major
(SHSM) initiative has the potential to
improve the education system's ability
to prepare students for the workforce.
On the other, however, initial stages
of the program locally have seen most
of the benefits go to larger schools and
communities.
"Next year, if you live in Stratford,
technically you'll have access to three
different High Skills Majors. If you live
in Goderich; if you live in Exeter and
you don't want to have to drive, you'll
have access to none," said led Doherty,
education superintendent for the Avon
Maitland District School Board.
Doherty delivered a report about'the
developments in the board's SHSM
program to trustees at their final regu-
lar meeting of the year, Tuesday, June
26.
He explained the board had just one
SHSM "this year — the first year it was
introduced in Ontario — but that will
expand to five next year
The initiative allows secondary
schools — if they are approved to offer
an SHSM — to create a timetable of
credits. which fulfills Ontario's high
school graduation requirements, but
also puts emphasis on one particular
subject area.
Last year, 27 high schools were
approved to offer pilot SHSMs, includ-
ing a manufacturing program at
Stratford Northwestern Secondary
School.
At the time of the meeting, either six
or seven students were expected to
graduate with a diploma this year from
the Northwestern SHSM.
Doherty described this as a laudable
graduation rate,
considering the
program is
designed to take
four years to com-
plete and these
students only had
a year to catch up
on any credits they
hadn't achieved.
Next year, the
school's manufac-
turing SHSM will
continue. It will be
joined by a pro -
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gram in hospitality, linked to the
school's well-known, student -run
Screaming Avocado cafe.
Other SHSMs to be introduced next
year are an arts and culture program
at Stratford Central Secondary School
and construction programs at Listowel
District Secondary School and
Wingham's 1+ E. Madill Secondary
School.
An agriculture -themed program will
be introduced at the Huron -Perth
Catholic District School Board's St.
Anne's high school in Clinton.
Doherty said there are challenges in
expanding the initiative across the dis-
trict.
It's not yet known what the long-
term response to SHSMs will be from
potential employers or post -secondary
education institutions.
And to date, there has not been a
commitment for long-term funding
from the province. So board adminis-
trators are wary of spending too much
money on something which may fizzle.
The biggest challenge, however, is
introducing SHSMs in schools which
don't already have a sizeable technical
education component within their
classroom space.
"It looks like we were concentrating
on our biggest schools (when new pro-
grams were introduced). And we were,"
Doherty confirmed.
"That doesn't preclude us from
expanding those into other schools in
the future, but at this point it doesn't
make sense" to put programs in schools
with smaller enrolment or less techni-
cal education infrastructure.
After questions from South Huron
trustee Randy Wagler, however, tdp
administrator Geoff Williams argued
"equity" shouldn't necessarily mean
GRADUATION
SARAH AGAR
Mery and Maureen are proud to announce the gradu-
ation of their daughter sarah, from the University of
Western Ontario with a degree of Bachelor of
Education -Intermediate/ Senior Physics &
Mathematics on June 15th, 2007. Sarah previously
received an under graduate Bachelor of Science -
Honours. Medical Physics from the University of
Western Ontario and is a former graduate of St. James
Elementary School and Seaforth District High School.
Sarah has accepted a contract position at Nantyr
Shores Secondary School in Innisfil, Ontario, as a
physics and science teacher.
Congratulations Sarah!
Love Mom, Dad, Adam, Emily, Julie & Sarah
offering the same level of programming
in each school.
"If equity is defined as having the
exact same programs in every school,
that is going to cost huge amounts of
money," said the board's director of edu-
cation.
He added the goal. should be to
"enhance programs at the local level"
by introducing what's most valuable to
each community.
And if that means introducing more
SHSMs in the future, hopefully that
will be possible.
Across the province, 153 SHSMs will
be in place next year.
Last year, there were five subject
areas approved: manufacturing, con-
struction, hospitality, arts and culture
and primary industries (including agri-
culture).
Next year, four more have been intro-
duced: transportation, environment,
health and wellness, and business.
According to Doherty, the Education
Ministry had also hoped to approve
SHSMs in the, area of energy, but only
received an application from one
school.
A former principal at Goderich
District Collegiate Institute, he won-
dered aloud whether the Huron County
port might be an ideal location for an
energy -based
SHSM.
"If you think of
the windmills
north of Goderich,
and the fact we've
got some really
keen science
teachers at GDCI,
Ithinkitwouldbe
a great fit,"
Doherty said.
GRADUATION
CURTIS AGAR •
Mery and Maureen are proud to announce the gradu-
ation of their son Curtis, from the first convocaation
of the University of Ontario Institute of Technology in
Oshawa, Ontario on June 1st, 2007. Curtis received his
Bachelor of Engineering -Manufacturing degree, with
distinction, at the ceremony. He also received his iron
ring on June 23rd at a 'special ceremony for
Engineering graduates.
Curtis is a post graduate of St. James Elementary
School, Seaforth District High School and St. Anne's
Catholic Secondary School.
Way to go Curtis!
Love Mom, Dad, Adam, Emily, Julie & Sarah
The Huron Expositor • July 11, 2007 Page 33
BUCK & DOE
for
JENNIFER DICK
• and
BRAD LUBBERS
Saturday July 14/07
8pm - lam
at
eaforth Agri-PIex
Music by MCL Sound
Age of Majority •- Lunch Provided
TICKETS $8.00
Cali Stacy 519-345-0580.
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GRADUATION
Karen Campbell -Taylor
received a Master of Science in Childhood
Education on May 19th, 2007 from Daemen College,
Amherst, New York. Karen previously graduated,
with Honours, from the University of Guelph receiv-
ing a Bachelor in Applied Science.
'Thanks for everyone's support and kind words
along this journey." John, Karen, Owen and Cora
Taylor.
1
LAUZON
June 16, 2007 was a beautiful day and a very special time in our
lives. We were so happy to be able to share it with friends and
family.
Thank you everyone for being a special part of our day. Our
honeymoon was enjoyed in Mexico and we are now back at our
home in Waterloo.
Thanks again,
Dan & Karrie Lauzon
•