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http://www.education.gov.ab.ca/n ... nr-AnnualReport.asp. ^$ y. Z6 o" a/ w' n- Q
; [$ X' ^- o8 ^( H# `! z4 U8 XSeptember 30, 2004
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+ x* X, j9 n4 C( CAlberta Learning achieving new vision: best learning system in the world$ d0 I( @; H7 \
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Edmonton... Alberta Learning's 2003-04 Annual Report shows the department is well on its way to realizing its new vision: the best learning system in the world.
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# y u3 F' I% |8 z9 _Increased collaboration and ongoing improvement are among the highlights of the annual report, which lists the department's accomplishments for the fiscal year that ended March 31, 2004.
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7 u% y5 s, q) l1 L6 }"This year's annual report reflects Alberta Learning's continued commitment to fostering quality, lifelong learning opportunities for all Albertans," said Minister of Learning Dr. Lyle Oberg. "The list of accomplishments in this year's report demonstrates the leadership and innovation occurring across Alberta's learning system." 8 h& H7 R/ i& |- A7 F& _6 ]" u
- X+ K" A V7 {: T$ }" rOutcomes on a variety of performance measures reflect high levels of satisfaction and achievement. This is a result of the department's initiatives and learning system investments presented in the annual report, as well as the efforts of schools, post-secondary institutions and others in the education community.
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In 2003-04, Alberta Learning accepted the vast majority of the 95 recommendations from Alberta's Commission on Learning. The commission confirmed that the province already has an excellent education system, but that the learning community must continue to build on its successes to meet the changing needs of learners, society and the economy. Many of the commission's recommendations support work that was already underway within government and among school jurisdictions.
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Key accomplishments include: & A" E4 K( N3 D' G6 K* Q; `
• Developed the Renewed Funding Framework for the basic learning system, based on pillars of flexibility and accountability. School jurisdictions will now decide where their dollars should go based on local needs and priorities, and be publicly accountable for the use of resources and the results achieved;
; b9 N0 l) n% I• Developed a mandatory second-language learning initiative and resources for Alberta students in Grades 4 to 9; ; ?/ U3 L g6 J b5 \& `
• Developed a new social studies curriculum to incorporate increased focus on Canadian and Alberta history, citizenship, and aboriginal culture and perspectives; ! f' }+ w, F7 X3 g! X
• Committed to implementing a daily physical activity program in all Alberta schools. Over the next two years, Alberta Learning will make the daily physical activity initiative a reality by working with schools, teachers, parents and students to find ways to accommodate 30 minutes of physical activity during the school day;
% Z$ i* X/ H3 [5 K• Proclaimed the Post-Secondary Learning Act. This legislation sets the stage for the future of Alberta's post-secondary system, providing students with increased access to opportunities to complete degrees and greater flexibility for institutions to respond to student needs; ! M6 w [, }4 s; }/ t# Y* L8 B' @
• Established a new tuition fee policy to ensure predictable and manageable tuition increases at Alberta's post-secondary institutions;
9 W$ |' ]7 {. x( Q( K4 a• Almost doubled the initial target of registered Aboriginal apprentices in the Alberta Aboriginal Apprenticeship Project, resulting in 70 registered apprenticeships in 17 trades;
4 f* b! ^: ]! l; K7 E: `7 |4 D z' G' e• Continued to market Alberta's expertise in apprenticeship and industry training internationally;
! Q$ F! u' {; f! V# x• Developed a strategic framework in consultation with over 40 stakeholders for integrating skilled immigrants into Alberta's economy; and
6 |/ q' Y8 R' l2 m• Signed two foreign student agreements with the federal government: one on the priority processing of international students and one to extend post-graduation employment.
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• Overall, Alberta's Grade 3, 6 and 9 students continue to achieve consistently high marks on provincial achievement tests, while achievement on Grade 12 diploma exams continues to improve.
4 S4 [ `6 j( o$ v• The employment rate of post-secondary graduates remains high at 86% for certificate and diploma graduates and 88% for graduates with a university degree.
# z+ h8 \6 ^6 y* `• 79% of graduating post-secondary students remain satisfied with the overall quality of their post-secondary education, and 89% agree they would recommend the program from which they graduated. 6 C' T- f2 {; J, t, T
• The high school completion rate within five years of entering Grade 10 rose to 75%, increasing steadily by one per cent each year for the past several years.
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- m0 W2 _1 h# d2 S1 Y% |8 m9 u: ?Investment Highlights:
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Funding allocated to Alberta's basic learning system increased by $226 million in 2003-04. School boards received over $3.1 billion in instructional grants, as well as support for early childhood services. Operating grants to post-secondary institutions increased by $98 million to nearly $1.2 billion, while the amount for post-secondary scholarships and bursaries increased by $8 million. Funding initiatives also included:
5 b( Y5 B+ |" t7 r# A8 o• $132 million through the Access Fund to post-secondary institutions, including an increase of $30 million to create 692 new seats in high demand programs and $20 million for apprenticeship technical training; 7 ]! H4 H4 @! e7 k
• $37 million in scholarships to reward Alberta's post-secondary and apprenticeship students for their excellent achievement, including $16.4 million for the Rutherford Scholarships awarded to high achieving high school graduates who enroll in post-secondary programs;
( v6 _" T3 W2 f5 r* I• $187 million in public and private early childhood services programs; and , ~* e4 w: v! s/ Z
• $19.7 million to community-based organizations to provide programs such as adult literacy programs.
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Alberta Learning's successes are a testament to the collaboration among government, industry, stakeholders, post-secondary institutions, schools, teachers, parents and students. Working together, the department will continue to achieve exceptional results and provide outstanding experiences for all Alberta learners. 2 y: Z- j* X' l* q7 M9 {% R
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"Alberta's future dynamic economy and high quality of life requires innovative, well-educated, skilled and adaptable citizens," said Oberg. "Albertans know that in addition to helping them achieve their personal goals, education is important to the success of our province."
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% C$ t! Q+ i- BThe 2003-04 Annual Report is available online at http://www.education.gov.ab.ca/annualreport. |
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