The Waterloo Region District School Board has approved the transition to a Grade 2 entry point for French Immersion which will start in September 2024. Starting in September 2023, Grade 1 Core French will be increased to 16% from 8%. In January 2024, Grade 1 students may apply to the French Immersion program for Grade 2.
Background
Ad Hoc Committee – French Immersion and Extended French
In 2017, the WRDSB formed an Ad Hoc Committee to review French Immersion and Extended French program models and the delivery for elementary and secondary students. The review is to include:
-
- staffing challenges;
- equitable access for each and every student;
- transportation; and
- the advantages and disadvantages of a French Immersion magnet school.
Reports
- Ad Hoc French Immersion Review Committee Update – February 12, 2018
- Ad Hoc French Immersion Review Committee Recommendations – April 23, 2018
- Elementary French As A Second Language Review Recommendations – June 20, 2022
Status
Phase 1
September 2017 – An Ad Hoc Committee with representation from trustees, parents, students and staff created in response to a Trustee Motion initiating a review of the WRDSB’s French Immersion Program:
That the Waterloo Region District School Board strike an Ad Hoc Committee for September 2017 to review our French Immersion and Extended french program models and the delivery for elementary and secondary students; and
That the review is to include staffing challenges, equitable access for each and every student, transportation and the advantages and disadvantages of a French Immersion Magnet School; and
That the committee include two French Immersion parents, two parents whose students are not enrolled in French Immersion, two French Immersion students, three Trustees, two Student Trustees and appropriate staff members; and
That all recommendations from the committee be supported with financial implications; and
That the committee provides a report to the Board of Trustees with recommendations by the end of February 2018.
- The Ad Hoc French Immersion Review Committee met over a series of meetings to analyze information relevant to the objectives outlined in the Trustees’ motion
- Ad Hoc French Immersion Review Committee Recommendations – April 23, 2018
Phase 2
April 2018: French Immersion Review Committee Report presented to Committee of the Whole
That the Waterloo Region District School Board approves the four recommendations contained in the French Immersion Review Committee Report. Furthermore, that $150,000 from accumulated surplus be committed to support the recommendations as outlined in the report presented to Trustees at the April 23, 2018 Committee of the Whole meeting.
- Malatest & Associates Ltd. was contracted to conduct a review of French Immersion programming
- Malatest & Associates Ltd. Report – French Immersion Review – October, 2020
Phase 3
April 2021: Reflection and Planning
- Reconvene Ad Hoc French Immersion Review Committee to review findings of Malatest & Associates Ltd. report and identify the main areas to be addressed
June 20, 2022: Final Report presented to Board
That the Board of Trustees approve the recommendations contained in the report from the French Immersion Review Committee dated June 17, 2022 specifically to:
- Adopt the Vision, Goals and Guiding Principles for French as a Second Language programming at the WRDSB.
- Develop an action plan to bring the French Immersion program into alignment with the Vision, Goals and Guiding Principles.
- Transition to a Grade 2 entry point for French Immersion and increase the daily French instruction time from 8% to 16% in Grade 1 Core French. Starting in September 2023, Grade 1 Core French will be increased to 16% from 8%. In January 2024, Grade 1 students may apply to the Grade 2 French Immersion program which will start September 2024.
Subsequent Decisions & Information
- Revised French Immersion Subject Allocation is coming soon!
