Structuring Public Education for the New Century Ensuring Quality Education for Saskatchewan Students Hounarable Pat Atkinson Minister of Education June 1997

TABLE OF CONTENTS Acrobat Reader Format of Guide for Printing Acknowledgements Introductions A. The Foundation of Restructuring Leadership Approach, Objective and Principles Quality of Educaitonal Programs and Services describes what is meant by a high quality of education, outlines the goals of education and provides topics and questions to consider in examining the educational services provided. Public Involvement in the Restructuring Process outlines the importance of involving the public and stakeholders throughout the restructuring process; and, provides suggestions on whom to contact and methods of involvement. Roles outlines the roles of the major organizations and stakeholders involved in Saskatchewan's education system. Restructuring Possibilities briefly describes the range of restructuring options. Parent and Community Involvement in Education summarizes the options available to ensure parent and community involvement; and, includes a brief description of district boards of trustees and local school advisory committees. B. The Building Blocks of Restructuring describes the restructuring process as a series of building blocks that take the school division from the initial steps of exploring issues to the consolidation of services; and, includes a diagram, summarizing the major steps. Exploring the Issues and Options describes two key steps: Explore the Issues and Identify the Options and provides specific suggestions. Decision Making highlights the decision making process and the steps involved if restructuring is pursued. Restructuring outlines the decisions and actions that boards will make in order to restructure. These decisions have been categorized into: The Transition Framework; Employees Request to the Minister of Education; and, Administration Consolidating Services outlines the decisions that a newly elected board needs to make, including: Team Building; Policy Development; Employee Contracts and Agreements; Clarification of Roles; Consolidation of Educational and Administrative Services; and, Parent and Community Involvement in Education Appendices: Appendix A: Communication Appendix B: Legislatibe Provisions Appendix C: Sample Request to the Minister of Education Appendix D: Continuous Evaluation of the Process Appendix E: The Consultation Process and What We Heard Appendix F: Comparison with Other Provinces Appendix G: Restructuring Initiatives in Saskatchewan Appendix H: Principles of Core Curriculum Appendix I: References