Introduction

As an introduction to Enrichment and what it can be within the WQSB please refer to the early words of the former Minister of Education: Pauline Marois.

Educational Policy Statement, Québec Schools on Course  (1997).

“We must foster a learning culture where intellectual rigour, high standards and hard work are valued and organize our schools in a way that will support students and guide them as they progress.”

In addition the Educational Policy Statement offers:  “ In order to allow the planned changes to improve the quality of students' education, we must first alter the educational environment within which they are to take place. Once the desired educational environment has been established, we must then enrich the content of the curriculum, identify fundamental learning, identify cross-curricular learning, i.e., learning that cuts across all subjects in the curriculum, improve the organization of teaching, streamline and clarify the content of the programs of study, and review the process by which programs are developed.”

The QEP section 1.3,Orientations of the Quebec Education Program, states the two tenets on success for all. The latter being , “ … the school’s responsibility toward all students , whatever their aptitude, talents and interests, to provide education options adapted to their needs. ……This entails ensuring  high-quality teaching  and support for students , an appropriate  progression of learning (differentiated) situations  and high but realistic requirements for each learning cycle.”

With this knowledge in hand we now look at what  enrichment  will be within the WQSB. To develop a WQSB profile, which encompasses all aspects of instructional delivery (Daycare, Preschool, Elementary, Secondary), the schools were asked to use the guiding principles of Joseph Renzulli and Benjamin Bloom to stimulate discussion and define ‘enrichment’ within their school culture. The following points were offered:

• To aspire to one’s fullest potential
  
• Diversified opportunities offered to challenge individual students
• Making the best of student’s abilities/talents
  
• Tapping into special needs by offering accommodations (like spec. ed.) through diverse programming.
  
• Activities that allow students to be intrinsically engaged and motivated to move along their learning continuum.
  
• Find a hook to move students from being satisfied to wanting to give more; develop talents; reach potential.
  
• Programs which will challenge the student and spark his/her curiosity, therefore student driven & teacher facilitated.
  
• Engaging students  in complex problem solving activities and support creative approaches to challenges.
  
• Provide a variety of experiences for students which allow them to grow and develop their multiple intelligences in a fun and enlightening fashion.

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