Community Learning Centres (CLC) Catalysts for Change in English Public Education in Quebec Canadian School Boards Association Conference July 6, 2012

Supporting the holistic development of citizens and communities through lifelong learning

A little history... An English minority language initiative CLCs are partnerships that provide a range of services and activities, to help meet the needs of learners, their families, and the wider community.

“The ambition of Community Learning Centres was to begin to engage community groups in the school, as the institution, as a hub for access to services.” Noel Burke, Dean of Concordia University School of Extended Learning “The school must be part of the community …. Social and community workers have access to the school, and that helps reduce the dropout rate. Leo Lafrance, Assistant Deputy Minister, Services to the English-speaking community and Aboriginal Affairs, ministère de l’Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport

Community Schools Not unique to Quebec All across Canada, North America and the world

Growing Support for Community Schools People for Education 2012 Annual Report on Ontario’s Publicly Funded Schools Schools cannot be expected to do everything. But when they are supported to work within a “web” of coordinated services and programs - children and families benefit.

So what makes our model different? Ultimate outcomes: Community Vitality and Student Success Community Based Service Learning strategy Educational and support services are pooled and everyone shares the responsibility of service delivery Not just located in low socio-economic communities

Role of School Boards Support from School Boards is seen by CLC stakeholders as an essential condition for success.

Partnerships are the at the heart of Community Learning Centres

Strong, viable partnerships don't just happen. Partnerships need to be understood, properly developed and well maintained.

Lifelong Learning Non-formal learning opportunities for personal and professional development, accessible in communities

Intergenerational Learning Building bat houses - a 12 month environmental and entrepreneurial project involving seniors and students Learning traditional crafts - using old clothing to make braided rugs

Community based service learning –teachers and communities working together Helps students understand a variety of issues such as diversity, ethics, social responsibility, illiteracy, and globalization Service learning is a teaching strategy that combines academic and social education goals to meet real community needs.

Early Childhood Education Fostering school readiness and ensuring that the transition to kindergarten is positive “School readiness leads to school success” .

Aboriginal Education We are working towards collaboration between CLCs and local First Nations families, communities, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal educators, leaders and students Elder Mary-Lou, a residential school survivor from Attawapiskat, Ontario met with students to smudge the tiles they decorated for Project of Heart.

Videoconferencing All CLCs are equipped with VC technology Virtual visits are directly linked to the curriculum

Signs of success Improved or increased student engagement in school Increased health and healthy living habits Increased involvement in/or attachment to the community Improved academics/increased academic support available to students, including increased attendance, graduation rates, and exam passing rates at some CLCs Students observing parents and grandparents using the school for academic and recreational pursuits Increased number of adult advocates for students Improved academics and increased academic support, including after school homework resulting in students completing assignments more often and coming to class better prepared Increased academic support resulting in improved attendance and graduation rates

COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTRES “... are an essential tool for networking and supporting schools and families, as well as providing access to services in people’s language. They contribute to the revitalization of the English-speaking communities, help to develop a sense of belonging to the community, provide an opportunity to build bridges between generations and between the school and the community, while offering services and activities that are tailored to the needs of each region.” Source: THE VITALITY OF QUEBEC’S ENGLISH-SPEAKING COMMUNITIES: FROM MYTH TO REALITY Report of the Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages March 2011

For more information: www.learnquebec.ca/clc dhorrocks@learnquebec.ca 450-622-2212 / 1-888-622-2212 dhorrocks@learnquebec.ca

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