This text is part of the special public school notebook
It is with brand new specific programs that school “E” will open its doors in 2024. The Center de services scolaire des Chênes (CSSDC) in Drummondville is also taking the opportunity to extend its offering to all secondary students in its four schools. Some programs that are already successful are being maintained, while others will see the light of day. The CSSDC thus hopes to improve the inclusion of all students and fight against school dropout.
“The objective is to put two-tier public schools in the past. We want all students to have access to a particular program according to their field of interest,” says Stéphane Guilbert, director of the new secondary school E, a short-lived name, while waiting to find the definitive one that the establishment will bear.
The observation is clear, adds Maude Trépanier, deputy general director of the CSSDC. “There are differences in success rates between students in the regular program and those in particular which can vary between 5 and 28%,” she emphasizes.
The two-speed school
It was the appearance of special programs in the early 2000s that generated this two-tier school system in Quebec. “The Higher Education Council reported the situation in 2007 and the gap between success rates. The students themselves say “I’m in nothing”,” reports Mme Trepanier.
However, the implementation of these programs aimed to avoid dropping out and improve academic success, but over the years, it is clear that the students who benefit from them are those who are already successful. “We have come to offer specific programs with selection criteria and from year to year we have to refuse students who end up in the regular program,” says Mr. Guilbert.
Especially since the special programs are a great success with the students. “The number of registrations shows us year after year the enthusiasm of students and parents for specific programs, and we have limited places in these programs,” says Maude Trépanier.
At Marie-Rivier school, for example, the “Active Life” program receives more than 180 registration requests each year, but only has 56 places. “So we understand that the admission period brings its share of disappointment and has a direct impact on student motivation,” she thinks.
Listening to students
With the arrival of school E, located in the Saint-Nicéphore sector, and the growing clientele, the CSSDC board of directors adopted new educational territories in June. Students from secondary 1 to 5 will have to attend their local school from September 2024. “The idea is to favor local schools. For certain specific programs, we would like students in 4e and 5e secondary schools have a protection clause so that they can finish their course in the same school. For the rest, we are going to have a sports, science and art program in each school and we have eliminated the selection criteria to aim for 100% inclusion,” specifies the deputy director general, while indicating that one of the compulsory subjects is of course maintained and that the necessary teaching time is granted.
At La Poudrière school, five programs will be offered, in dramatic arts, cinema and communication, languages and international culture, edu plus, techno-sciences and visual arts. The Jeanne-Mance school will offer visual arts, international education, sciences, dramatic arts and multi-sports. There was already a hockey option, which will remain available. Jean-Raimbault’s students will have the choice between dance, the Wildlife Management Research Support Group, music, sports, “RenversArt” and introduction to video game design. Those from Marie-Rivier will be able to choose between multi-sports, science, sport-study, active life, arts and e-sports programs. The new secondary school will offer specific programs in environmental sciences, sports and the arts, which have yet to be defined.
The reflection for these programs began in 2020 with school principals, then the teaching staff, and the students. “We asked them if they dreamed of a new program, what would they set up,” explains Mme Trepanier. Students want to play sports, enjoy the outdoors, learn programming, thrive in the arts, both dramatic and visual, but also in music or science.
Stéphane Guilbert hopes that this new accessibility will bear fruit. “And that it will motivate students to come to school,” he concludes.
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