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<h3>McGuinty Government Investments In French-Language Education Produce Results </h3><pre> Francophone Achievement Shows Students Getting The Support They Need
OTTAWA, May 24 /CNW/ - French-language students in Ontario are achieving higher provincial test scores thanks to the McGuinty government's investments in the province's French-language schools, Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs Madeleine Meilleur announced today.
"Our government has recognized the unique challenges the French-language boards face in helping our francophone students succeed," said Meilleur. We are increasing funding to Ontario's French-language schools to make them even better places to learn and succeed."
Next year, the province will invest an additional $73.5 million in
Ontario's French-language schools. Since this government came to office, per pupil funding for French-language school boards has grown by 42.5 per cent - or $316.7 million - reaching $1.09 billion for the 2007-08 school year.
</pre><pre> This year's funding boost for French-language school boards will help ensure the quality of French-language education and combat the assimilation of French-speaking students. The investment includes $10 million for additional targeted supports to provide a wider range of programs and courses, particularly in French-language secondary schools.
</pre><pre>
"We're proud of our track record to make Ontario's French-language
schools great places to learn," said Education Minister Kathleen Wynne. "Our government has recognized the unique challenges these boards face in helping our francophone students succeed. During the last four years, we've seen a significant improvement in student outcomes, and we want to go further still."
</pre><pre> "I am proud to be part of a government that recognizes the fundamental role education plays in the ongoing development of Ontario's francophone community," said Ottawa-Orléans MPP Phil McNeely.
</pre><pre> Francophone student enrolment is on the rise for a second consecutive
school year, despite declining enrolment provincially, assimilation and a low proportion of francophone immigration.
Success by French-language students includes:
- An increase in provincial test scores of between five and 15
percentage points
- A rise of five per cent in graduation rates to 81 per cent - just four points short of the 2010 provincial target - over the past two
years
- Grade 6 French-language students reaching the 75 per cent target in
math two years early
- Grade 6 French-language girls reaching the target in reading, writing
and math.
"Close collaboration with our education partners is at the forefront of
our strategy to help our francophone students reach their potential,"
concluded Meilleur.
Disponible en français
<a href="http://www.ofa.gov.on.ca">www.ofa.gov.on.ca</a>
ONTARIO'S INVESTMENTS IN FRENCH-LANGUAGE EDUCATION
This year, the province will invest an additional $73.5 million in
Ontario's French-language school boards.
This year's funding boost will help ensure the quality of French-language
education and combat the assimilation of French-speaking students. The
investment includes $10 million for additional targeted supports to provide a
wider range of programs and courses, particularly in French-language secondary
schools.
The investments are part of the McGuinty government's overall strategy to
provide francophone students with the support they need to succeed:
- Launching the Politique d'aménagement linguistique which aims to
improve retention in French-language schools, enhance students' oral
communication skills and build capacity among school staff working in
a linguistic minority setting.
- Creating the Elementary and Secondary French-language Education Task
Force, chaired by Education Minister Kathleen Wynne, to help ensure
that francophones play a greater role in the overall development of a
high quality education system in Ontario. In fact, some of this
year's targeted investments in the Grants for Student Needs stem from
advice from the task force.
- Providing $70 million in cumulative enhancements in the Language
Grant for French-language boards, a significant portion of which has
been allocated to increase unique course offerings in French-language
secondary schools. This initiative is helping to promote French
language and culture, improve student achievement and help keep
students in French-language schools.
- Introducing an innovative multi-year $220-million capital investment
strategy that will help improve access for children of rights holders
to French-language education, the the single biggest investment in
the history of the French-language community in Ontario.
- Delivering on our commitment to create an independent TfO network
that will meet the specific cultural and educational needs of the
Francophone community. In addition to a $15.3 million start-up
investment, the newly independent TfO will have an annual operating
budget of up to $21 million, $15 million of which will be provided by
the province.
Disponible en français
<a href="http://www.ofa.gov.on.ca">www.ofa.gov.on.ca</a>
>>
</pre><pre>For further information: Marc Despatie, Senior Strategic Communications
Advisor, Office of the Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs, (416)
433-8584; Charles Jean Sucsan, Senior Manager, Strategic Communications Office
of Francophone Affairs, (416) 325-4968
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