MFI Information Session

1. MFI Information Session Joint Presentation by the Curriculum Services & Planning Departments February 25, 2008 Our Focus: Learning, Leadership, Community

2. Agenda • Introduction - Purpose of the Information Session • FSL Program Review • FSL Programs • Expansion of MFI Sites • Frequently Asked Questions • Q & A Our Focus: Learning, Leadership, Community

3. OCDSB FSL Program Review – Elementary Our Focus: Learning, Leadership, Community

4. FSL Review: Objectives • to improve the effectiveness of delivery and instruction for FSL programs; • to ensure that students throughout the school district have equitable access to FSL programs; • to ensure that FSL programs have viable and sustainable enrolments; and, • to ensure that FSL programs are cost effective. Our Focus: Learning, Leadership, Community

5. FSL Review Process & Timelines • Structure: Ad Hoc Committee (Dec 2006…), FSL Support Team (Mar – Jun 2007), FSL Staff Sub-Committees (Nov 2007…) • Process: literature review (Feb – May 2007), stakeholder surveys (Mar – Aug 2007), central data (Mar – Aug 2007), synthesis & report writing (May – Aug 2007), consultation on recommendations (Oct – Nov 2007), consultation on program locations (April – May 2008) • Communication: literature review (May 2007), interim report (Jun 2007), final report (Sep 2007), final recommendations (Dec 2007), letter to parents of elementary students (Jan 2008) Our Focus: Learning, Leadership, Community

6. Effective FSL Delivery Models and Instructional Practices • Key Elements of the FSL Review: • Description of the types of FSL programs • Motivating factors to enroll in/be successful in FI programs • Teaching requirements/qualifications • Learning environment • Student outcomes Our Focus: Learning, Leadership, Community

7. Equity of Access andViability & Sustainability of Enrolment • Key Elements of the FSL Review : • Characteristics of students enrolled in FSL programs • Enrolment patterns, attrition/retention rates, split-grade classes • Accessibility Our Focus: Learning, Leadership, Community

8. Cost Effectiveness of FSL Programs • Key Elements of the FSL Review: • FSL Ministry Grants • Comparative Costs Our Focus: Learning, Leadership, Community

9. Approved Motion: 18 December 2007 A. The Late French immersion (LFI) program be phased out beginning September 2008, with a phase-out strategy which will ensure, subject to there being sufficient enrolment, that students currently enrolled in grades 4 to 7 continue to have access to a Late French immersion program and that any student who does not have access to an MFI program in Grade 4 has access to an LFI program. B. Effective September 2008, the OCDSB program delivery structure for French as a Second Language will be: • Core French (maintaining current time allocation of JK/SK 100 minutes/week; grades 1-8 200 minutes/week); • Early French Immersion (EFI) (SK to grade 8); • Middle French Immersion (MFI) (grades 4 to 8); with Late French immersion offered in accordance with the phase-out plan. C. The phase-out of LFI and the introduction of new MFI sites be implemented as detailed in the implementation plan outlined in Report 199-07 to Education Committee. Our Focus: Learning, Leadership, Community

10. Approved Motion (continued) D. The FSL sub-committees on Core French and French Immersion established by Board motion on 25 September 2007 will be staff committees that will undertake the work as described in the motion and will report on their work in February and June 2008. E. Staff develop an accountability framework designed to measure the outcomes achieved as a result of the changes made to FSL programs as they relate to the following objectives established by the FSL Review Ad Hoc Committee: • to improve the effectiveness of delivery and instruction for FSL programs; • to ensure that students throughout the school district have equitable access to FSL programs; • to ensure that FSL programs have viable and sustainable enrolments; and, • to ensure that FSL programs are cost effective • and that the accountability framework be presented to the FSL Review Ad Hoc Committee no later than June 2008. F. Staff evaluate the FI program against the accountability framework in a report for May 2011 to determine if the remaining LFI sites or other solutions satisfy unmet needs, particularly those of at-risk or immigrant students or students newly arrived to the district, and bring forward a report outlining any recommended changes to the Board at that time. Our Focus: Learning, Leadership, Community

11. Elementary FSL Programs in the OCDSB Our Focus: Learning, Leadership, Community

12. Core French Program In the Core French program, students develop basic oral comprehension and communication skills. The program is mandatory for all elementary students not enrolled in French Immersion. Note: A student who successfully completes the Core French program is expected to have a basic level of proficiency in the French language. Our Focus: Learning, Leadership, Community

13. Core French in the OCDSB • 100 minutes per week of French instruction - JK, SK • 200 minutes per week of French instruction - grades 1-8 Note: Instruction in Core French serves as an important base for students entering one of the OCDSB’s French Immersion programs (EFI or MFI). Our Focus: Learning, Leadership, Community

14. Early French Immersion Program In the Early French Immersion (EFI) program, students are provided with the opportunity to become functionally bilingual through an earlier and a maximum exposure to French. Note: A student who successfully completes the EFI program, and later enrolls in a secondary level program which meets the requirements to obtain the OCDSB Extended French or French Immersion Certificate, is expected to be able to communicate with ease and feel comfortable in either language community (English or French) and also accept employment, training or further education in either language. Our Focus: Learning, Leadership, Community

15. Early French Immersion in the OCDSB • 20 minutes daily French instruction - JK • 150 minutes French instruction - SK (100%) • 300 minutes French instruction - grade 1 (100%) • 240 minutes French instruction - grades 2-3 (80%/20% F/E) • 180 minutes French instruction - grades 4-6 (60%/40% F/E) • 150 minutes French instruction - grades 7 and 8 (50%/50%) Note: Mathematics instruction in English begins in grade 4 Our Focus: Learning, Leadership, Community

16. Middle French Immersion Program In the Middle French Immersion (MFI) program, students are provided with the opportunity to obtain a solid foundation in English language skills in the primary grades before starting intensive study of a second language. Note: A student who successfully completes the MFI program, and later enrolls in a secondary level program which meets the requirements to obtain the OCDSB Extended French or French Immersion Certificate, is expected to be able to communicate with ease and feel comfortable in either language community (English or French) and also accept employment, training or further education in either language. Our Focus: Learning, Leadership, Community

17. Middle French Immersion in the OCDSB • 20 minutes daily French instruction - JK, SK • 40 minutes daily French instruction - grades 1-3 • 200 minutes French instruction - grades 4-6 (66%/34% F/E) • 150 minutes French instruction (grades 7 and 8) (50%/50%) Note: Mathematics instruction in English begins in grade 4 Our Focus: Learning, Leadership, Community

18. Late French Immersion – last cohort in 2010/2011 • At least 1000 minutes per week of instruction in the French language in grades 7 and including: - 300 minutes of French Language Instruction, - 150 minutes of Social Studies instructed in French, - 150 minutes of Science and Technology instructed in French - 400 minutes of instruction in French in other subject areas • Up to 500 minutes of instruction in the English Language in grades 7 and 8 including: - 200 minutes of English Language instruction, - Up to 300 minutes of instruction in English in other subject areas. Our Focus: Learning, Leadership, Community

19. Expansion of MFI Locations • Three new MFI sites have been established for September 2008: Metcalfe Public School, Kars Public School/Rideau Valley Middle School and Trillium Elementary School to provide district-wide coverage for MFI delivery. • It is anticipated that, as the strength of the program grows, new sites will be added. Our Focus: Learning, Leadership, Community

20. Criteria for Selection of MFI Sites • The development of criteria for establishment of new programs includes, but is not restricted to, the following factors: • Identification of the long-term critical mass necessary to the program and what support is required while the program grows • Identification of locations wherein program delivery models require consolidation in order to avoid the fragmentation of programs and resources Our Focus: Learning, Leadership, Community

21. Criteria for Selection of MFI Sites • Continued… • The expressions of interest/commitment for the program’s inception from the receiving school community • Support by means of demographics and geography that an area can support a new program • Identification of community school availability and equity of access for children Our Focus: Learning, Leadership, Community

22. Criteria for Selection of MFI Sites • Continued… • Consideration of financial implications (staffing, transportation for example) • Consideration of impact on neighbouring schools and their future • Consideration of existing grade/program configuration in relationship to enrolment and program viability (K-8 schools, K-6 schools, etc.) Our Focus: Learning, Leadership, Community

23. Next Steps – 2008/2009 Timelines - Middle French Immersion Implementation Information Sessions: 25 February 2008 1:00–3:00 p.m., Confederation Education Centre 7:00-9:00 p.m., Adult High School • Presentation of Middle French Immersion program issues • Feedback from school communities concerning potential criteria for decision-making and other school community issues Consultative/Recommendations Stage: 18 March 2008 7:00-9:00 p.m., Confederation Education Centre, library and breakout rooms • Meetings with school council chairs and principals of schools interested in new Middle French Immersion programs (or other French as a Second Language programs) in superintendency/geographic areas configurations • Receipt of feedback Decision-Making Stage: 13 February 2008 - Business Services Committee approval of Consultation Plan 9 April 2008 - Delegations to Business Services Committee 9 April 2008 - Initial recommendations to Business Services Committee re: MFI locations and next steps 22 April 2008 - Board Meeting Our Focus: Learning, Leadership, Community

24. Frequently Asked Questions Our Focus: Learning, Leadership, Community

25. Frequently Asked Questions Q Are FSL programs beneficial for my child? A Yes. Regardless of the FSL program chosen, exposure to the French language provides children with many academic and social benefits, including: a deeper understanding of French and French-speaking cultures, a greater number of career options, and a lifelong ability to communicate in French. Our Focus: Learning, Leadership, Community

26. Frequently Asked Questions Q If I choose a French Immersion program for my child, will it be a detriment to my child if I don’t know French myself? A No, not at all. French Immersion programs were specifically designed for children whose parents/guardians have little or no facility in French. Nevertheless, parents/guardians can still encourage their children to learn French by providing the opportunity to hear and speak French in authentic situations (e.g., take a trip to Quebec, watch French television, read French books, listen to French music, eat at a French restaurant, etc.) Our Focus: Learning, Leadership, Community

27. Frequently Asked Questions Q Will my child receive English language instruction in a French Immersion program? A Yes. With the exception of senior kindergarten and grade 1 in the EFI program, where 100% of the instruction is in French, students in both EFI and MFI will receive English language instruction for English Language Arts. By grade 4, students in both programs will also receive English language instruction for Mathematics through to grade 8. Our Focus: Learning, Leadership, Community

28. Frequently Asked Questions Q Is it true that French Immersion is only for “gifted” children? A No. Any student enrolled in the OCDSB is eligible for a French Immersion program. Many children in our district, from all social and economic backgrounds, are enrolled in French Immersion programs. Our Focus: Learning, Leadership, Community

29. Frequently Asked Questions Q Can a student who is currently an English language learner enroll in a French Immersion program? A Yes. Research indicates that learning a second, or even a third, language at an early age is possible, and, has a positive impact on intellectual growth. Cognitive development is enriched and enhanced, as immersion students develop learning skills that they may apply to their first language, other academic subject areas and life experiences. Our Focus: Learning, Leadership, Community

30. Frequently Asked Questions Q Will a French Immersion program mask, or even worsen, any learning difficulties my child might have? A No. Academic ability is not directly related to performance in French language skills. A child’s learning difficulties in reading, writing, or other subject areas, will surface regardless of the language of instruction. These difficulties should not normally be a barrier to bilingual education. French Immersion teachers are very aware of children who may be experiencing learning problems, and, will work with your child to provide the learning support services required. Our Focus: Learning, Leadership, Community

31. THANK YOU Our Focus: Learning, Leadership, Community