Rights Respecting Schools: Transforming Canadian Schools

What is a Rights Respecting School (RRS)? The Rights Respecting Schools initiative is a framework for educational improvement that aims to transform the whole learning environment with a consistent, rights-based approach.

The Ultimate Outcome Educational policies, practices and decisions are all made in the best interest of the child Children’s rights are fulfilled and protected in Canadian schools

Impacts of Rights Respecting Education FOR STUDENTS Improved self-esteem and well-being Improved relationships and behaviour Improved engagement in learning Positive attitudes towards diversity in society Reduction in prejudice Enhanced moral understanding Support for global justice “When you are talking people listen to you and they don’t interrupt. They give you the right to speak up.” Daniella, Grade 5, Cape Horn

A Supportive Framework for Schools Equity and Inclusion Character Development Student Engagement Safe and Caring Schools Rights Respecting Schools

Rights-Respecting Students : Cape Horn Elementary School

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (the Convention) 1.Right to survival, development (physical and mental), protection, and participation 2.Drafted in 1978 and adopted November Canada ratified in Most widely ratified human rights treaty 5.Monitored by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child

Benefits of a Rights-Respecting Education Improved self-esteem and well-being Improved relationships and behaviour Improved engagement in learning Positive attitudes towards diversity in society Reduction in prejudice Enhanced moral understanding Support for global justice “When you are talking people listen to you and they don’t interrupt. They give you the right to speak up.” Daniella, Grade 5, Cape Horn

Rights Respecting Schools Overview

Rights Respecting Schools Timeline

Rights Respecting Schools Building Blocks

Workshop Series Five Professional Development Workshops: Workshop 1: Children’s Rights and Education Workshop 2: Building Awareness Workshop 3: Meaningful Student Participation Workshop 4: Teaching and Learning Through a Rights Lens Workshop 5: Leadership for a Rights Respecting School

Professional Learning: A Closer Look Building BlockExample AwarenessStudents write in the school newsletter Student Participation Engaged student government Teaching and Learning Classroom Charters instead of classroom rules Leadership School code of conduct reviewed with a rights respecting lens

Classroom Charter

Bringing Rights into the Classroom Teachers are supported with tools to build rights respecting classrooms Teaching Learning outcomes have been identified which can support children’s rights education Learning

What Teachers Say “…a Rights Respecting School gives children power and a sense of knowing that their voice can be heard, and makes a difference” Shalini Mehra, Grade 1 teacher Cape Horn School, Coquitlam BC “By the time they work through rights they know their responsibilities.” Denise Gibson, Grade 5 teacher Cape Horn School, Coquitlam BC

RRS Action Plan: Our Roadmap What is being done? What do we need to do next? CRT completes RRS Action Plan Our school has a roadmap for our future

Children’s Rights Team 1.Organize materials for workshops 2.Organize and facilitator student workshops 3.Conduct student surveys and teaching staff surveys 4.Set the RRS Action Plan for the school 5.Collect and submit follow-up surveys “I don’t have to be afraid of the power of children.” Denise Gibson, Grade 5 teacher Cape Horn School

Are you ready to become a Rights-Respecting School? Contact: