New outreach programs keep youth in school
Edmonton... Seven new outreach programs launching in September 2009 will enable more Alberta youth to stay in school. The new programs will be offered by school boards in Athabasca, Medicine Hat, Lloydminster, Taber, Okotoks and two in Calgary, for a total of 134 approved outreach programs now operating in the province.
“Outreach programs give options and supports to students who otherwise may not stay in school,” said Dave Hancock, Minister of Education. “These innovative programs make it possible for every student to finish high school and reach their potential.”
Outreach programs offer an educational alternative for junior and senior high school students who find the traditional school setting does not meet their learning needs. Typically, those attending outreach programs are working students, teen parents and other students who are at risk of dropping out of school.
Each outreach program provides students with additional supports and services to encourage them to complete school. These supports and services include anger management training, personal and career counselling, study skills and work experience. Many outreach programs are linked to community and social agencies to ensure students have access to the services these agencies offer.
This year, the Alberta government is providing school jurisdictions more than $8 million for outreach programs.
Outreach programs have been identified as a key initiative under Alberta’s High School Completion Framework, which aims to increase high school completion rates across the province. The framework focuses on five strategies: personalized learning, successful transitions, collaborative partnerships, positive connections and tracking progress.
For more information on outreach programs and on Alberta’s High School Completion Framework, visit www.education.alberta.ca/highschoolcompletion.
Backgrounder
Details of new outreach programs
|
Community |
Program Name, Location and School Jurisdiction |
Program highlights |
|
Athabasca |
Vilna Off Campus School, Aspen View Regional Division |
This program provides support services as well as flexible timetabling, course loads and attendance to students in Grades 9-12. |
|
Calgary |
Reengaging Academically Disconnected Adolescents Respectfully (R.A.D.A.R.), Calgary Catholic School District |
This program is designed to meet the needs of homeless students who do not have family support. It will be linked to St. Anne Academic Centre to facilitate transition back into the student’s home school. |
|
Okotoks |
St. Luke’s South Outreach Centre, Christ the Redeemer Catholic Separate Regional Division |
This program is directed at students who have not had success in the traditional high school setting. It will be supported by community and student health partnership services. |
|
Medicine Hat |
Saamis REAL, Medicine Hat School District |
This program focuses on students aged 13-17 who show problems adjusting to expected school and community standards of behaviour and who have experienced significant gaps in grade level learning. |
|
Lloydminster |
Avery School (LEAP), Lloydminster Public School Division |
This program will use a distributed learning model, incorporating distance learning, on-line learning and small group instruction to reach 100 students 12-19 years old. |
|
Calgary |
Bridges to…, Calgary Catholic School District |
The focus of this program is to meet the needs of Grade 12 English as a Second Language (ESL) newcomers. |
|
Taber |
Arden T. Litt Centre for Learning, Horizon School Division |
Targeting Kanadier Mennonite youth 12-18 years old, this program provides flexibility for students who are working. Courses will include basic literacy, ADLC courses and ESL programs for those who need it. |
Visit www.education.alberta.ca to find more information about outreach programs.
