A Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce panel discussion Thursday night delivered a rich exchange of ideas about improving the education system for P.E.I. students. Over the past number of years, members of the Chamber have raised concerns about K-12 educational outcomes as well as student preparedness for post-secondary education and the workplace.
Chamber president Rory Francis said Let’s Talk K-12 Education attracted a diverse cross-section of the community, and they made two messages clear:
“First, Islanders care deeply about ensuring that our K-12 system helps our youth achieve their full potential; and secondly, there’s more consensus than one might think on some of the fundamental steps that could make the Prince Edward Island system one of the best in Canada.”
About 150 people attended the event at the Rodd Charlottetown.
Some of the discussion themes included the negative effects of social promotion of students, the importance of literacy and numeracy skills, the need to foster critical thinking and soft skills, the benefits of student mentorship, the positive effects of hiring subject specialists and providing classroom supports, the benefits and challenges of student assessments, the desire to better serve students with special needs, the challenges posed by student anxiety and other mental health issues, and the overall need to question assumptions about how we do things now.
The discussion also underlined the key roles that business and the larger community must play in promoting student success.
“There are many partners in enabling a successful, high-performing education system,” Francis said. “Those partners include parents, educators, the business community, students and governments. Following the very positive dialogue we have had tonight, the Chamber of Commerce looks forward to facilitating future conversations that can lead to positive change.”
Let’s Talk K-12 Education featured panelists Dr. Paul Bennett, founding director of Schoolhouse Institute; Amber Jadis, founder of the PEI STEAM program, business owner and educational practitioner with Bricks4Kids; and Dr. Tess Miller, associate professor with UPEI’s Faculty of Education. The panel was moderated by Dawn Binns (BEd, MAEd), partner with Insight Branding & Marketing Studio and chair of the Chamber’s Policy Committee.
With close to 1,000 members, the Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce reflects a diverse network of small, medium and large businesses from almost every industry sector and business profession.
Photo: Let’s Talk K-12 Education featured panelists (L to R) Amber Jadis, founder of the PEI STEAM program, business owner and educational practitioner with Bricks4Kids; Dr. Paul Bennett, founding director of Schoolhouse Institute; and Dr. Tess Miller, associate professor with UPEI’s Faculty of Education. The panel was moderated by Dawn Binns (BEd, MAEd), partner with Insight Branding & Marketing Studio and chair of the Chamber’s Policy Committee.