TOE HKg School board review approved By LISA BOONSTOPPELPOT The Herald Despite objections from two proFrench associations Halton Board of Education trustees ap proved and passed a review of the policy for immersion extended and core French Representatives from Cana dian Parents for French chapter and the Glenview Home and School Association in Burl ington were present at the boards March 21 meeting to ask that the review be deferred until an evaluation plan of French teaching could be established Both groups want an evaluation procedure to assess program and student performance to see how successful French education is and how it can be improved We request deferral of sions to the French policy until the evaluation action plan has been prepared and completed said Alyce Boster president of Glenview Home and School Association Approval of the largely minor policy changes of fers no real benefit at this tune and may impede progress with its false sense of accomplish ment Jan Fowler President of the Chapter of Canadians for French said the review fails by ommtssion The issues that havent been addressed in the policy are not easy but must be included she said Things like evaluation of programs assessment and track ing of student achievement and necessary support groups are needed The French review is actually a review of French Policy 60006 which was last reviewed in A French Policy Review Commit tee was established in April to deal with review changes A shortage of quality French teachers the potential cost of program expansion and the an publication of new guidelines for French teaching from the Ministry of Education were reasons the committee gave for reaching their final decision which was there appear to be no compelling reasons to change our present policy significantly The trustees however mended to board administration that a review of immersion and extended French programs be implemented and assessment of student performance be included in the boards plan After the two pro French associations voiced their tions and asked for a delay Halton Hills trustee Dick Howitt addressed the board and said he believed delaying the passing of the review would postpone the beginning of three very impor tant aspects of the review I think the policy review of fers three positive things The provision of classroom space to core French lechers is one which sends a good message that we care about them Another thing is remediation of French We also addressed the fear of some parents who were afraid French immersion was taking over and they might lose English teaching he said Evidently many trustees agreed with Mr Howitt since on two were opposed to the pass of the policy review at vote time Dean Fink superintendent of French studies said the issues raised by the French groups may be addressed again when the new guidelines from the Ministry of Education come out But he couldnt predict Just when the guidelines would be released PEOPLE DO READ THE HERALD CLASSIFIEDS CALL 8778822 TODAY TO PLACE YOUR AD The biggest mortgage breakthrough in a decade Only at Canada Trust If your mortgage is coming up for renewal you should consider the benefits of our unique Split Level Mortgage The ultimate in flexibility and control The best of both open and term mortgage features Avoids putting all eggs in one basket Ability to pay off faster in bite size chunks Call any branch to find out morel You can get a rate reduction for six months with our new Split Level Mortgage If youre renewingyour mortgage or getting a brand new one before July 1st just come and see us before April 30th Ask for details Canada Trust Tie Main at James 8772266 OPEN TO MONDAY TO I SATURDAY l TO