External Credentialing Policy
December, 2007
O
ver the
past year, the Nova Scotia Department of Education has researched the benefits
and potential of developing an external credentialing policy for high-school
students in the province. By recognizing credentials gained outside of school
for high school credit, the policy will acknowledge the value of student
learning outside the public school system and provide students with a new
option for enhancing their high school transcripts.
The Department of Education acknowledges that learning opportunities come in many forms for high school students. These include courses offered through the provincial Public School Program and avenues for recognizing other learning experiences through provincial Independent Study and Challenge for Credit policies. In adopting an external credentialing policy Nova Scotia, like many other provinces in Canada (see Figure 1), will also be able to recognize the contribution that a range of high quality courses and programs offered outside of the public school system make to students’ learning experiences.
The consultation process will take place between
December 2007 and February 2008. During this time we would like to hear from
high school staff, students, and parents who will be able to provide their
feedback on the draft policy in three ways:
1. Through the NS Department of Education’s website – by visiting
http://www.ednet.ns.ca/ the public can follow a link to the policy
consultation site where they will find a copy of the draft policy, questions and
answers about the policy, and an online version of the consultation paper and
feedback forms;
2. By email: staff, students and parents can also complete questions in the
consultation paper in Word and email a copy to paperweight@eastlink.ca;
3. By fax or mail: contacting Paperweight Consulting to make arrangements to fax
or send their feedback by Canada Post.
This news article written by: Department of Education
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