CSP Report – The Additional Support Needs Blog

At the end of November, the short-life working group on Co-ordinated Support Plans (CSPs) released its Final Report. The purpose of the report was to identify barriers to the effective implementation of the CSP legislation and to make recommendations to support progress. The report begins, as these things often do, with a statement of principles. In this case, we are reminded that “Scottish education is based on the belief that education is a human right and that all children and young people should be supported to reach their full potential.” The Scottish Government’s intention to incorporate the UN Convention on…

Learning hours consultation – my concerns – The Additional Support Needs Blog

Response to Consultation on Prescribing the minimum annual number of learning hours The Scottish Government are seeking views on the prescribed minimum learning hours for primary and secondary pupils in local authority schools in Scotland. Sadly, for many pupils the number of hours prescribed will be largely irrelevant as the statutory exemptions provided will allow education authorities to provide reduced learning hours based on broad criteria at their say-so alone. The concerns outlined below were discussed with Scottish Government officials over a period from the passing of the Education (Scotland) Act 2016 to August 2018. The Law As the consultation…

Disabled Children and Young People (Transitions to Adulthood) (Scotland) Bill – The Additional Support Needs Blog

The Education, Children and Young People Committee is the lead committee for the Disabled Children and Young People (Transitions to Adulthood) (Scotland) Bill, a private member’s Bill, introduced by Pam Duncan-Glancy MSP. The period for interested parties to submit their views on the Bill to the Committee has recently ended. Here is a summary of my submissions. The aims of the Bill are to improve both the process and outcomes of the post-school transition for disabled children and young people. This is much needed, and does require serious and considered attention. The Bill, as set out covers three main big…

Yukon government launches new online student financial assistance portal

The Yukon government has introduced a new online student financial assistance application portal, according to an Aug. 1 statement. With the launch of the portal, the statement said post-secondary students from the territory can apply for grants and loans online, check the status of their applications and view funding decision letters, all on one platform. “The transition from traditional paper-based systems to an online format has been a comprehensive and a long-awaited transformation, involving upgrades and enhancements across the entire system for many years. These efforts work towards fulfilling the Minister of Education’s mandate letter commitment to improve access to…

How Flamingo Estate Quietly Perfected the Brand Collab

In the three short years since the brand’s inception, Flamingo Estate has released over 16 collaborations with artists, celebrities, athletes, humanitarians, authors, designers, and even His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. Not only is that number staggering for a small, independent farm and wellness brand, but each collaboration is also wholly one of a kind and singular in its concept and originality. “The collabs are really unexpected, which is perhaps the core of them,” says Flamingo Estate founder Richard Christiansen. “They’re unusual, but they also make perfect sense.” Known for ethically sourced and handmade apothecary items (including soaps, candles, and…

Education assistant with racy OnlyFans account fired for what employer calls ‘egregious’ conduct

A Maple Ridge education assistant who says she was struggling to make ends meet has been fired over her second job: posting racy content online, including on OnlyFans. Kristin MacDonald, 35, has posted titillating photos and videos for about a year under the name Ava James on the website known for custom pornography. That drew the ire of School District 43, where MacDonald had been an education assistant since 2015 at Terry Fox Secondary in Port Coquitlam. The district ordered her to shut down her adult content on social media, including on OnlyFans, in April or risk being fired. MacDonald…

York Catholic school board votes against flying Pride flag at education centre

The York Catholic District School Board has voted against flying the Pride flag at its Catholic Education Center in June. At a board meeting on Monday night, trustees defeated a motion to fly the flag with a vote of six to four. The decision came after advocates and critics clashed for months over the issue. Police have been called to at least three recent board meetings. Demonstrators shouted at trustees immediately after the vote and were escorted out of the room. Some spectators were cheering the results. Trustees Angela Saggese, Theresa McNicol, Maria Iafrate, Michaela Barbieri, Frank SD Alexander and…

Alberta Liberal party unveils education platform

(Albert Liberals) By rdnewsNOW Staff $1.2 billion May 18, 2023 | 10:58AM The Alberta Liberal party has unveiled their education platform aimed at supporting teachers and improving outcomes for students. “Education enriches lives and builds strong economies. Albertans have told us strong public K to 12 are a top priority. And we listened. We are here to give Albertans a better choice on education,” said Alberta Liberal Leader John Roggeveen. “We know overcrowded classrooms hurt the academic performance of students and burn teachers out. Yet the NDP and conservative governments have continued to ignore class size guidelines compromising the education…