PCAP/PISA Student Performance Results - Question Period
MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable member for Dartmouth South.
MS. CLAUDIA CHENDER « » : Mr. Speaker, my question through you is to the Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development. Often in response to my questions in this House, the minister has claimed that he makes his decisions based on evidence.
I have concerns that the administrative review, which he is using to justify sweeping changes to our schools and classrooms, is incorrect in sounding an alarm about Nova Scotian students' performance. As many people have now pointed out, our children achieve at or above the expected levels on both the Pan-Canadian Assessment Program, PCAP, and the Programme for International Student Assessment, PISA.
How can the minister have confidence in his decisions when the evidence they are based on is faulty?
HON. ZACH CHURCHILL « » : There are two challenges that we're trying to overcome here. Provincially, our students have only achieved at the national average or below consistently for a long time. Regionally, the achievement levels vary from region to region depending on what board you are working under. These are two challenges, in my opinion, that are important to overcome. They are system-based challenges. The structure of the education system has created challenges to do better.
Since when has this House accepted middle of the road as best for our kids? When will we let our eyes look a little higher to a better horizon, where our kids are competing with the very best in this country and beyond?
MS. CHENDER « » : With respect, Mr. Speaker, no one is arguing for the status quo. We're simply stating that average performance - as the member next to me has commented about ambulances - does not equal a crisis in the opinion of this government, so far as we've seen.
Caring students, teachers, and school boards have been asking for a willing partner to make the changes needed for a long time. Instead, this government has locked students out, chosen to legislate rather than collaborate, and is now responsible for the second strike vote ever by teachers in as many years. Parents and teachers are experts who want what is best for our children.
Mr. Speaker, if the minister has confidence in his reforms, then why does he feel the need to bulldoze forward in this sitting? Why is he so afraid to listen to the public?
MR. CHURCHILL « » : Mr. Speaker, I have gone out and met with the public extensively over the course of the last number of weeks.
Let's not pretend that this is the first report that has told us that there needs to be a change in the administrative model of our education system. This just happened with the Myra Freeman report. She engaged thousands of Nova Scotians over the course of a year.
How many reports giving us recommendations to transform our education system have to sit on a shelf and collect dust before we actually do something in this province? The time is now, Mr. Speaker.
In fact, I want to remind the member opposite that it was the Leader of the Third Party who actually told our government that our education system is in crisis. I will table that quote for the pleasure of the House, Mr. Speaker.
MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable member for Sydney River-Mira-Louisbourg.
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