The province has hired Avis Glaze, an internationally recognized expert, to review its education administrative model.
The review will look at how public schools are administered, including elected school boards and their central office administration, along with administration at the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.
Ms. Glaze served as Ontario’s education commissioner and senior adviser to the Minister of Education. She was the province’s first chief student achievement officer and founding CEO of the Literacy and Numeracy Secretariat. She was awarded the Order of Ontario, as well as many international awards, for her contributions to education.
She has extensive experience in system and school improvement having worked with educators in almost 50 countries. She was sent to South Africa by the Canadian government to assist with education reform and national reconstruction and has assisted with education reform in New Zealand. Most recently, she was invited to assist Scotland with its system and school improvement. She has also been a classroom teacher, special education teacher, guidance counsellor, administrator and a faculty of education professor.
“This review is about ensuring our system is working as well as it can for the maximum benefit of our students,” said Zach Churchill, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development. “It’s been two decades since we’ve taken a look at our administrative model. I believe we could benefit from the breadth and depth of experience that Avis will bring to bear on a review.”
“Nova Scotia is one of the school systems internationally that is doing innovative work,” said Ms. Glaze. “It believes in continuous improvement and puts students at the centre of all it does. The system is serious about working collaboratively with partners to improve the life chances of students and the prosperity of the province.
“I have no doubt with the efforts that are being instituted, that by all measures Nova Scotia will be a world-class education system “
The review will begin immediately with a final report submitted to the Department by Dec. 31.
“Together with the work of the Commission on Inclusive Education and the Council to Improve Classroom Conditions, the administrative review is another way we’re working to make our education system better for our kids,” said Mr. Churchill.
To view the terms of reference for the review, visit www.ednet.ns.ca/adminreview .
For a biography of Ms. Glaze go to avisglaze.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/AVIS-GLAZE-FULL-PAGE-BIO-2016.pdf .