African Nova Scotia Students Benefit from Improved Opportunities

African Nova Scotia students will benefit from improved learning opportunities and more effective supports to help them reach their full potential.

Education Minister Marilyn More today, Oct. 18, accepted all 68 recommendations from Reality Check, a review of government programs and supports to Nova Scotia's estimated 4,000 students of African ancestry.

"There is a shared accountability in making sure all students reach their full potential, and the department is taking a leadership role," said Ms. More. "I am committed to moving these recommendations to completion in a timely manner."

Key actions in the minister's response, Expanding From Equity Supports to Leadership and Results, include:

• establishing a monitoring committee to ensure all recommendations are carried out;
• developing more Africentric curriculum;
• an enhanced role for student support workers;
• review structures to better address racism;
• intensify efforts to recruit more black teachers;
• help boards gather accurate, quantitative data on the performance of African Nova Scotian students;
• improve communication and engagement with African Nova Scotian communities;
• an annual progress report to the House of Assembly.

"We are extremely pleased with the level of attention and consideration the department has given to the future of African Nova Scotia learners as outlined in this report," said Tracey Jones-Grant, chair of the Council on African Canadian Education. "CACE commends its many partners for the important work they continue to do in an effort to ensure equitable opportunities."

In December, consultant Enid Lee examined the progress made since the implementation of the Black Learners Advisory Committee report: Redressing Inequity and Empowering Black Learners in 1994.

In her report, Ms. Lee found more students are going to university and college and benefiting from Africentric curriculum offerings, but she also discovered a lack of sound data on student performance.

The report also raised concerns over the perception that too many African Nova Scotian students are on Individualized Program Plans, which are seen as a potential barrier to accessing important academic programs and scholarships. It also noted that the caseloads of student support workers may be too high.

"I recognize that there are still many African Nova Scotian students who are not achieving as much success as they should," said Ms. More.

"Nova Scotia is recognized as a leader nationally for the programs and opportunities that have been developed since the BLAC report was accepted by government almost 16 years ago. But there is still much more to do to level the playing field and make life better for African Nova Scotian students."

The minister's response can be viewed at, www.ednet.ns.ca