Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Just to go back to the Members' previous question, we have received requests from five communities for small community grade extensions. There may be more, but we are not sure how many more would come in at this point.
It is certainly something there has been some discussion about, whether or not students in the smallest of communities are receiving the same level of education as those in larger communities with grade extensions. We believe the level of education being provided is fairly close. As I have said in the House, one of the best ways for us to tell will not be until all students are writing Grade 12 departmentals. When they do write Grade 12 departmentals, we then have an idea of how the students compare to Alberta students, because our students write the same exam as Alberta students do. In those schools where Grade 12 has started to be offered, we are showing very promising results in the departmentals. Results that would tend to indicate to us that yes, the level of education being received in the smaller schools which have grade extensions is pretty close to what is being seen in other areas. We know that is an ongoing concern and we are always looking for ways to continue to monitor and make sure the situation is as equitable as possible through strengthening the curriculum, distance education, ensuring we have high quality teachers and other elements in terms of constantly being aware, and working with divisional education councils to support them in the program being delivered in the smallest communities. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
