OCDSB votes to keep alternative program
Posted Mar 5, 2010 By Rosalyn Stevens
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Tweet ThisEMC News - The Ottawa Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) has voted to continue running its elementary alternative program, after a lengthy review that worried parents, teachers and students of the program.
After nearly 20 hours of debate, stretching over two meetings, trustees reduced the staff recommendation to a set of guidelines that would recognize the importance of the program, and enhance it for the betterment of all students.
Richard Deadman, chair of the Alternative Education Advisory Committee (ASAC), said he was relieved with the board's decision, and happy that the program can begin the real work of enhancements and potential expansion in the future.
Most importantly, he said, parents now know they can register their children for the alternative kindergarten program without any fear.
"It's giving the program a needed validation," he added, noting that for many years proponents of the alternative program have long felt like leftovers from the former Ottawa Board of Education, where it was created. For years, he said, ASAC has had a number of recommendations for improvement, which could not be implemented until after the review.
Now, he said, the work begins.
"Some of (the recommendations) were simple," he said, "in that we want one superintendent."
"Other things we want to do is work with the University of Ottawa and other research groups...and become (a centre for research)."
Parents and teachers have long considered the alternative education program as a development centre for best practices, which include multi-aged groupings and student-led learning.
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