ACTION PLAN: REGULAR PROGRAMS AND ADDITIONAL STRATEGIES

ACTION PLAN: REGULAR PROGRAMS AND ADDITIONAL STRATEGIES Canada-Ontario Agreement on Minority Language Education and Second Official Language Instruction 2005-06 to 2008-09 Elementary / Secondary French Second Language Instruction Ontario Ministry of Education March 2006

PREAMBLE Introduction The 2005-06 to 2008-09 agreement on elementary / secondary French second language (FSL) instruction establishes the cooperation framework between Canada and Ontario to fund the regular FSL programs and additional strategies designed to increase the proportion of high school graduates with a working knowledge of French. The additional strategies included in our plan are directly linked to Canada s investment sectors and strategic priorities outlined below: 1. Improve core French programs S by renewing teaching approaches and tools used in the classroom S by encouraging the examination of innovative methods 2. Revitalize French immersion programs S with more qualified teachers and modernized teaching methods S with additional high quality teaching materials S with more exchange programs and more opportunities for bilingual students to put their skills to good use S with additional classrooms and programs 3. Increase the number of qualified teachers S with more training and professional development opportunities Goals Ontario s multi-year plan to promote a strong and vibrant elementary / secondary FSL program is focused on two goals: 1. Increased student participation / retention in FSL programs S by providing province-wide access to a range of quality FSL programs and supporting the expansion and enhancement of programs S by building partnerships for the promotion and renewal of FSL programs page 2 of 11

S by identifying policy gaps 2. Increased teaching capacity in FSL S by identifying effective teaching, learning and assessment practices and supporting professional development activities Ontario s Additional Strategies Ontario s plan is to allocate Canada s additional funds to support board-targeted actions designed to significantly improve elementary and secondary FSL programs. Funding will favour long-term initiatives which will aim to: < engage boards, parents, students, postsecondary institutions and communities in the renewal of elementary / secondary FSL programs < increase student retention and participation in elementary / secondary FSL programs: core, extended and immersion < increase the number of courses / programs in French, particularly at the high school level < improve student level of proficiency in French < enhance teacher capacity in FSL < recognize and value the learning of French < contribute to research on proven Ontario-specific innovative models and effective teaching and assessment practices that are replicable in other boards and schools < inform FSL policy and program development The additional funds are intended to increase province-wide capacity in FSL and will be used to support new and / or enhanced initiative(s). Projects that will be considered for funding may include: < Broad-based partnerships (with other boards, universities, groups/agencies, parents, students) to develop and implement board action plans for the renewal of FSL programs < Classroom support (e.g. consultants) and professional development programs for teachers and administrators < High quality learning resources for students and teachers < Program expansion: New courses / programs and sites < New and innovative program models < Assessment of the French language proficiency of students and teachers and recognition of program requirements and level of language proficiency page 3 of 11

attained by students and teachers based on assessment < Authentic communication experiences for immersion students: cultural enrichment, exchanges, etc. < Marketing and promotion of FSL programs Accountability, Evaluation and Success Indicators Progress will be monitored on an ongoing basis through boards annual financial and activity reports. Board projects will include an evaluation / research component, to document what was learned and build provincial data on effective strategies, programs and practices. Projects will also include key indicators of success, targets and timelines as appropriate (e.g. percentage increases in student participation and retention rate in FSL programs, satisfaction ratings and quality improvement measures. Upon completion of the project, boards will be required to submit a project evaluation describing the degree to which targets were met. Student participation rate in FSL programs will be used as the main success indicator. In 2003-04, student enrolment and participation rate in FSL programs were: Elementary Secondary FSL Programs Enrolment Participation Rate Enrolment Participation Rate Core 767,456 55.8% 93,795 14.1% Extended 25,766 1.9% 7,954 1.2% Immersion 98,369 7.1% 16,423 2.5% Total 891,591 64.8% 118,172 17.8% Source: As reported by schools in the School September/October Report. 53 of the 60 English-language boards offer extended / immersion programs in 665 elementary schools and 241 secondary schools. Canada s Contribution page 4 of 11

Since 1977, Ontario has been providing special funding to school boards for the supplementary costs of providing FSL programs, in addition to the basic per-pupil grants. Special FSL funding is currently about 210 million per year. In the elementary panel, this additional funding is based on the number of pupils enrolled in FSL programs and varies with the average daily length of the programs. In the secondary panel, funding is established according to pupil enrolment in credits and varies with the credits taught in French. The regular funds provided by the Government of Canada will be used to offset a portion of Ontario s allocations to boards for the additional costs for the maintenance and improvement of board regular FSL programs. The additional funds will support board-targeted actions designed to significantly increase province-wide capacity in FSL programs in line with the strategic priorities of Canada s Action Plan. Ontario s Contribution The special FSL funding will constitute Ontario s contribution to both the regular programs and additional strategies. It should be noted that increased student participation in FSL programs will result in an increase to the special FSL funding. Consultation Ontario s FSL action plan was developed in consultation with members of: Canadian Parents for French, Ontario; Ontario Modern Language Teachers' Association; principals', supervisory officers' and trustees' associations. Ongoing consultations will be conducted to share ideas, provide coordinated support for the implementation of Ontario s FSL action plan and recommend modifications to the action plan as appropriate. Context Ontario s French Second Language Programs English and French are Ontario s official languages of instruction. To ensure that students enrolled in English-language schools acquire some knowledge of French, the Ministry of Education recognizes three types of FSL programs: Core French, Extended French, and French Immersion. The FSL programs reflect students differing needs in studying French and are designed to provide students with different levels of intensity in developing their French-language knowledge and skills. French must be the language of communication in FSL classes/programs, so students can practise speaking in French and consistently hear French spoken. Extended French and French Immersion are FSL programs in which French is not only taught as a subject but also serves as the language of instruction in other subjects. The provision of an Extended French and/or a French Immersion program is optional; where such a program is offered, students may enrol in it rather than in a Core French program to meet the mandatory requirement for the study of French in English-language schools. page 5 of 11

Core French English-language boards are required to offer core French starting in Grade 4.The decision to offer Core French below Grade 4 is left to individual boards. Students must receive French instruction in every year of the program for Grades 4 to 8 and must accumulate a minimum of 600 hours in French by the end of Grade 8. Students must also earn one French credit for the high school diploma. French Immersion In the elementary French Immersion program, French must be the language of instruction for a minimum of 50 per cent of the total instructional time at every grade level of the program. Immersion programs must include the study of French as a second language and the study of at least two other subjects taught in French. These two subjects must be selected from the following: the arts, social studies (Grades 1 to 6) or history and geography (Grades 7 and 8), mathematics, science and technology, and health and physical education. Immersion programs must provide a minimum of 3800 hours of instruction in French by the end of Grade 8. The secondary French Immersion consists of four courses in French Immersion and a minimum of six courses in other subjects taught in French. Extended French In an Extended French program, French must be the language of instruction for a minimum of 25 per cent of the total instructional time at every grade level of the program. Extended French programs must include the study of French as a second language and the study of at least one other subject taught in French. That subject must be selected from the following: the arts, social studies (Grades 1 to 6) or history and geography (Grades 7 and 8), mathematics, science and technology, and health and physical education. Extended French programs must provide a minimum of 1260 hours of instruction in French by the end of Grade 8. The secondary Extended French consists of four courses in Extended French and a minimum of three courses in other subjects taught in French. page 6 of 11

2005-06 to 2008-09 ACTION PLAN FOR ELEMENTARY/SECONDARY FRENCH SECOND LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION REGULAR PROGRAMS PROJECTED CONTRIBUTION (1) Strategy Activities Expected Outcomes Performance Indicators Canada Ontario Access to a range of programs Maintenance and development of FSL Programs < Continue to fund the additional costs associated with the delivery of FSL programs to encourage boards to maintain and develop new FSL programs. < improved access to FSL programs delivered by the English-language school boards. < increased capacity of English-language school boards to deliver Immersion programs. < Student participation rate in FSL programs. < Number of extended French / immersion programs. 59,976,520 720,000,000 2005-06 to 2008-09 ACTION PLAN FOR ELEMENTARY/SECONDARY FRENCH SECOND LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION ADDITIONAL STRATEGIES PROJECTED CONTRIBUTION (2)) Strategy Activities Expected Outcomes Performance Indicators Canada Ontario Access to a range of programs Expansion and enhancement of FSL Programs < Encourage program expansion by supporting new courses / programs in French, particularly at the high school level. < Support the hiring of FSL consultants and the development of teaching materials specifically designed for FSL teachers. < Support the development and acquisition of student learning resources for all types of FSL programs. < Support evidence-based innovative delivery models < New courses / programs in French. < Improved classroom supports. < More accessible and better-quality teaching materials. < Ontario-specific innovative models that are replicable in other boards and schools. < Better student achievement < Number of new courses / programs in French < Number of teaching materials produced specifically for FSL programs. < New positions to support FSL programs < Students and teachers satisfaction rate 29,129,422 54,417,432 page 7 of 11

2005-06 to 2008-09 ACTION PLAN FOR ELEMENTARY/SECONDARY FRENCH SECOND LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION ADDITIONAL STRATEGIES PROJECTED CONTRIBUTION Strategy Activities Expected Outcomes Performance Indicators Canada Ontario Building partnerships < Support broad-based partnerships (with other boards, parents, students, postsecondary institutions, community groups) to develop board multi-year FSL action plans. < Support marketing and promotion initiatives. < More engaged boards, parents, students, postsecondary institutions and communities in the renewal of FSL. < Number of partnerships established < Student participation / retention rate in FSL programs 1,700,000 Policy gaps < Explore increasing the number of FSL credits that can count towards the 18 compulsory credits for obtaining the Ontario Secondary School Diploma from one to two. < Review the Grade 1 to 12 Core French, Extended French and French Immersion Curriculum < Increased student participation / retention in FSL programs < Better student achievement and satisfaction < Student participation / retention rate in FSL programs < Students satisfaction rate < Support the development and implementation of initiatives to recognize student achievement in French. page 8 of 11

2005-06 to 2008-09 ACTION PLAN FOR ELEMENTARY/SECONDARY FRENCH SECOND LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION ADDITIONAL STRATEGIES PROJECTED CONTRIBUTION Strategy Activities Expected Outcomes Performance Indicators Canada Ontario Enhance teacher capacity < Support the development of intensive professional development programs to improve the French language proficiency of FSL teachers. < Support new approaches to teacher excellence such as: Innovative mentoring programs for new teachers by more experienced teachers; Enhanced summer development opportunities; and < Increased teacher proficiency in French. < Increased number and qualifications of French teachers. < Better student achievement. < Number of teachers trained in various professional development programs. < Types of professional development sessions and evaluation of sessions. 3,500,000 More effective sharing of good practices. page 9 of 11

ONTARIO S 2005-06 to 2008-09 ACTION PLAN ELEMENTARY / SECONDARY FRENCH SECOND-LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION REGULAR PROGRAMS AND ADDITIONAL STRATEGIES CANADA-ONTARIO CONTRIBUTION TO PROJECTED EXPENDITURES (1) 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 CONTRIBUTION TOTAL PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL PROJECTED EXPENDITURES 216,391,621.00 217,387,645.00 217,472,054.00 217,472,054.00 868,723,374.00 100% ONTARIO CONTRIBUTION 193,604,358.00 193,604,358.00 193,604,358.00 193,604,358.00 774,417,432.00 89% CANADA S ADDITIONAL FUNDING (2) S REGULAR FUNDING (1) 6,391,621.00 7,387,645.00 7,472,054.00 7,472,054.00 28,723,374.00 16,395,642.00 16,395,642.00 16,395,642.00 16,395,642.00 65,582,568.00 TOTAL CANADA CONTRIBUTION 22,787,263.00 23,783,287.00 23,867,696.00 23,867,696.00 94,305,942.00 11% (1) Excludes 55,870 for Accent and Odyssey and 110,000 contribution to TFO. (2) An amount of 1,401,512 is allocated from regular funds per year for a total of 5,606,048 over four years, 2005-06 to 2008-09. Note: An amount of 1,300,000 is transferred, each year, from the additional funds second-language instruction to additional funds minority language for a total of 5,200,000 over four years, 2005-06 to 2008-09. page 10 of 11

ONTARIO S 2005-06 to 2008-09 ACTION PLAN ELEMENTARY / SECONDARY FRENCH SECOND-LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION ADDITIONAL STRATEGIES (Including 1,401,512 from regular funds per year) 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 Total STRATEGY Canada Ontario Total Canada Ontario Total Canada Ontario Total Canada Ontario Total Canada Ontario Total Expansion and Enhancement 7,093,133 13,604,358 20,697,491 7,289,157 13,604,358 20,893,515 7,373,566 13,604,358 20,977,924 7,373,566 13,604,358 20,977,924 29,129,422 54,417,432 83,546,854 Partnerships and Policy 200,000 200,000 500,000 500,000 500,000 5,000,000 500,000 500,000 1,700,000 1,700,000 Teacher Capacity 500,000 500,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 3,500,000 3,500,000 TOTAL 7,793,133 13,604,358 21,397,491 8,789,157 13,604,358 22,393,515 8,873,566 13,604,358 22,477,924 8,873,566 13,604,358 22,477,924 34,329,422 54,417,432 88,746,854 page 11 of 11

2005-06 to 2008-09 ACTION PLAN FOR ELEMENTARY/SECONDARY FRENCH SECOND LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION ADDITIONAL STRATEGIES PROJECTED CONTRIBUTION Strategy Activities Expected Outcomes Performance Indicators Canada Ontario Enhance teacher capacity < Support the development of intensive professional development programs to improve the French language proficiency of FSL teachers. < Support new approaches to teacher excellence such as: Innovative mentoring programs for new teachers by more experienced teachers; Enhanced summer development opportunities; and < Increased teacher proficiency in French. < Increased number and qualifications of French teachers. < Better student achievement. < Number of teachers trained in various professional development programs. < Types of professional development sessions and evaluation of sessions. 3,500,000 More effective sharing of good practices. page 9 of 11