News release

Attendance Report Presented to Minister

Education (July 1999 - March 2013)

The Department of Education released today, Jan. 27, a report on student absenteeism and creating positive classroom experiences.

Promoting Student Engagement -- Report of the Minister's Working Committee on Absenteeism and Classroom Climate makes 13 recommendations on ways to improve attendance and better motivate students in their learning.

"Absenteeism and student disengagement are a concern across the province," said Education Minister Marilyn More. "I want to thank the committee members for their work as government, educators and families continue to address this important problem."

The committee, which began its work last May, was chaired by former deputy minister Howard Windsor. It included representation from the Department of Education, Nova Scotia Teachers Union, Association of Nova Scotia Education Administrators, Nova Scotia School Boards Association, Nova Scotia Federation of Home and School Associations, Council on African Canadian Education, Youth Advisory Council, and the Council on Mi'kmaq Education.

The committee recommends a comprehensive approach to reducing student absenteeism.

"We have concluded that a balanced strategy is needed to address the issue of attendance and student engagement," said Mr. Windsor. "By a balanced strategy we mean one that includes both supports for student and parents as well as consequences for non-attendance."

The report can be viewed online at www.ednet.ns.ca. People can respond by e-mail to classroom-climate@gov.ns.ca, by fax to 902-424-0519 or by writing to the Minister's Working Committee on Absenteeism and Classroom Climate, Corporate Policy Branch, P.O. Box 578, Halifax, N.S., B3J 2S9.

Deadline for input is March 12.