Ontario Graduation Rates Rise With First Work Members’ Support
The Ontario Ministry of Education recently announced that High School graduation rates have risen to 79% from 68% in 6 years. First Work recognizes the value of high school education in the career development of youth and applauds the effort of schools and their community partners in achieving this substantial result.
The Ontario Ministry of Education recently announced that High School graduation rates have risen to 79% from 68% in 6 years. First Work recognizes the value of high school education in the career development of youth and applauds the effort of schools and their community partners in achieving this substantial result.
Members of First Work support higher graduation rates in many ways. Our members’ numerous connections with schools through summer job placements, co-op programs, SALEP committees, the provision of employability workshops directly to High School students, and support to guidance counselors through resource sharing and networking all contribute to higher graduation rates while providing support for students balancing schooling with their need for employment. Some of our members operate ‘Chapter 13′ alternative schools. First Work members are represented on the Ministry’s “Learning to 18” working group and First Work provides a province-wide liaison for the Ministry’s Ontario Skills Passport initiative. Ministry of Education staff frequently present at our Futures Conference. First Work has completed several research papers and ‘think tanks’ on the challenges of retaining youth in High School.
First Work has advocated for greater inclusion of community-based agencies as partners with schools in bolstering graduation rates. Our position is that for many young people traditional high school is not appropriate. As well, many leave high school in order to pursue employment out of necessity. These hard choices young people make sometimes undermine their ability to graduate, but also help them develop valuable skills on the job and may increase their motivation to go back to school, once they realize the potential higher education can give them. Wherever the young person develops skills and appropriate motivations they should be rewarded, recognized and ultimately welcomed back into formal schooling if and when the time is right time for them. Schools need community-based partners to fully serve the needs of high-needs youth. Government must support Youth Employment Centres and Schools to work closely together to provide constructive options for youth and supportive, positive responses for them as they navigate their way to more fulfilling life choices.
Your support for First Work contributes to our continued representation on Ministry of Education committees and programs. Through First Work, a knowledgeable youth voice is heard.
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Reference:
http://www.firstwork.org/attach/2010-04/Ontario’s graduation rate.pdf
http://www.firstwork.org/attach/2010-04/Ontario’s graduation rate FRE.pdf
Members of First Work support higher graduation rates in many ways. Our members’ numerous connections with schools through summer job placements, co-op programs, SALEP committees, the provision of employability workshops directly to High School students, and support to guidance counselors through resource sharing and networking all contribute to higher graduation rates while providing support for students balancing schooling with their need for employment. Some of our members operate ‘Chapter 13′ alternative schools. First Work members are represented on the Ministry’s “Learning to 18” working group and First Work provides a province-wide liaison for the Ministry’s Ontario Skills Passport initiative. Ministry of Education staff frequently present at our Futures Conference. First Work has completed several research papers and ‘think tanks’ on the challenges of retaining youth in High School.
First Work has advocated for greater inclusion of community-based agencies as partners with schools in bolstering graduation rates. Our position is that for many young people traditional high school is not appropriate. As well, many leave high school in order to pursue employment out of necessity. These hard choices young people make sometimes undermine their ability to graduate, but also help them develop valuable skills on the job and may increase their motivation to go back to school, once they realize the potential higher education can give them. Wherever the young person develops skills and appropriate motivations they should be rewarded, recognized and ultimately welcomed back into formal schooling if and when the time is right time for them. Schools need community-based partners to fully serve the needs of high-needs youth. Government must support Youth Employment Centres and Schools to work closely together to provide constructive options for youth and supportive, positive responses for them as they navigate their way to more fulfilling life choices.
Your support for First Work contributes to our continued representation on Ministry of Education committees and programs. Through First Work, a knowledgeable youth voice is heard.
—
Reference:
http://www.firstwork.org/attach/2010-04/Ontario’s graduation rate.pdf
http://www.firstwork.org/attach/2010-04/Ontario’s graduation rate FRE.pdf
