Question 520-12(7): Concerns Re Single-diploma High School System

In the Legislative Assembly on June 7th, 1995. See this topic in context.

Question 520-12(7): Concerns Re Single-diploma High School System
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1172

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Mr. Speaker, I have previously asked the Minister about the change from the two high school diplomas - the general and advanced -- to a one-diploma system. I understand that Ontario will now be the only jurisdiction in

Canada that is going to maintain the two-diploma system. So this change really shouldn't make much difference to students, as long as our Department of Education ensures that each grade 10 student and their parents are involved in a consultative process to set up a career plan.

However, Mr. Speaker, employers face a different problem. Up until now, they could, for instance, know or have an idea about what level of mathematics skill a grad had achieved by the type of diploma they presented. With only one diploma, employers will now have to ask for transcripts to got that information. So, Mr. Speaker, will the department consider designing the NAT transcripts along the lines used in Alberta to use course descriptions so that employers more easily understand what levels prospective employees have achieved?

Question 520-12(7): Concerns Re Single-diploma High School System
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1173

The Speaker

Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Nerysoo.

Return To Question 520-12(7): Concerns Re Single Diploma High School System
Question 520-12(7): Concerns Re Single-diploma High School System
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1173

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the concern of the honourable Member and I note the comments that have been made. Just to advise the honourable Member, it's certainly our intention to try to ensure that the best information be made available to employers when any individual has graduated from our high schools. I'll take note of the honourable Member's suggestion, however, in saying that, I also want to advise the honourable Member -and he's noted it -- that we will have developed, in conjunction with students and parents, beginning this particular year, the computer program that would identify the student information of all the subjects including career program and plans for which the student has been educated. I note the concern and, certainly, without much more comment, Mr. Speaker, I will take note of the concern and the suggestion made by the honourable Member.

Return To Question 520-12(7): Concerns Re Single Diploma High School System
Question 520-12(7): Concerns Re Single-diploma High School System
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1173

The Speaker

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Dent.

Supplementary To Question 620-12(7): Concerns Re Single-diploma High School System
Question 520-12(7): Concerns Re Single-diploma High School System
Item 6: Oral Questions

June 6th, 1995

Page 1173

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My supplementary question is to the same Minister. As the Minister knows, as dollars get tighter and tighter, we need to make sure that we're more and more results orientated. Along that line, I was wondering if the department would consider conducting a survey of northern business, especially in the smaller communities, to determine their level of satisfaction with the availability and the qualifications of the graduates who they hire.

Supplementary To Question 620-12(7): Concerns Re Single-diploma High School System
Question 520-12(7): Concerns Re Single-diploma High School System
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1173

The Speaker

Mr. Nerysoo.

Further Return To Question 520-12(7): Concerns Re Single Diploma High School System
Question 520-12(7): Concerns Re Single-diploma High School System
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1173

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm not sure that we necessarily need to conduct a survey, we may already have information on file. Again, I'll note the concern of the honourable Member, and whatever is most appropriate in terms of consulting employers I will certainly try to ensure that we have that kind of information on file. If it requires us to do a survey, then obviously we'll be able to consider that.

I must also advise the honourable Member, I believe our labour force survey gives us a great deal of that information, and as a result of that, we're also highlighting some of the employment requirements, trade requirements and skill requirements that are presently required by employees in the Northwest Territories. But I will take note of the suggestion.

Further Return To Question 520-12(7): Concerns Re Single Diploma High School System
Question 520-12(7): Concerns Re Single-diploma High School System
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1173

The Speaker

Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Ningark.