Ms. Stella Campbell
Chair
Halifax Regional School Board
90 Alderney Drive
Dartmouth, NS B2Y 4S4

We are writing on behalf of the Halifax District PTA to express our concern about projected cutbacks in the High School Honours Program. Two years ago, under the direction of the Provincial Department of Education and Culture, the Grade 10 honours English program was cut. Now we have heard that the honours Mathematics program, and possibly others, may be reduced next year.

For those of us whose children have been involved in the honours program, and can compare it with other programs, the educational value of cutbacks seems highly questionable. Unlike teachers in programs where there is an honours option, English teachers have not been provided with the choices or opportunity to progress quickly, stufy in more depth, or develop particular interests or aptitudes. Students who are not interested in an in-depth study of English have been forced to work at a rate that may not be consistent with their long term educational goals. Essentially, this has satisfied the aspirations of no-one.

Secondly, anf proposed cut does not seem to be consistent with the Pubic School Programs (PSP) document that recognizes that students have different educational objectives (and needs) and should be provided with the choices that best meet these objectives. Although ENG 10 is described in the PSP document, it is inconsistent with other core subjects in that they require courses to be flexible enough to meet "everyone's" needs. Feedback should be sought from students and teachers about how realistic ad effective the English program has been. Again, without an honours program, the delivery of a Mathematics course that will meet the needs and objectives of "all students" seems totally inconsistent with the diverse objectives and outcomes described in the PSP document.

In April, 1994, when the Halifax District School Board accepted a recommendation that "Long-term and rigid homogenous ability grouping (streaming) based on test results alone should be eliminated within the Halifax School System", the Junior High School Extended Achievement Program was discontinued. At the same time, however, the board accepted a recommendation that "The Halifax District School Board must recognize the need to provide enrichment for all students, and that this should occur, as much as possible, within the context of the local school community." Whether by design, by neglect, due to lack of resources, or because of the School Board amalgamation, any enrichment opportunities at the Junior High School level have been minimal and certainly not imlemented in any systematic fashion. We are concerned that current initiatives to reduce the honours program will result in removal of enrichment opportunities at the High School level too.

The Halifax District PTA believes strongly in educational equality. That is, everyone must be able to avail themselves equally of the educational opportunities that are provided. First and foremost, this means that educational opportunities must be provided. Programs, such as the High School Honours Program, must exist for those who need them, and for those who can benefit from them. Educational equality does not mean that everyone must take the same program. By permitting the removal of honours courses, the Halifax Regional School Board seems to be saying that it does not support enrichment opportunities for its students. This, in turn, seems to be leading to a two-tiered educational system, in which those who are financially able use th private school system, and the remainder are left to survive in a public system that denies students the opportunity to be challenged to their full potential, regardless of what that potential might be. Essentially by removing honours programs and continually reducing enrichment opportunities, those who cannot afford a private school education are being selectively denied the opportunity to achieve at their highest level. If this is allowed to continue, public education will soon be reduced to a level that meets nobody's needs. Other provinces have learned that lumping students together who have different motivations, interests etc., does not work. We can learn from their experience. While many parents and students would not choose an honours program, removing the choice is essentially discriminating against those who would.

We understand that the Halifax Regional SChool Board has severe financial limitations, however, we are told that the honours program involves little or no additional expenditure. The program has already been developed. In a Board that is constrained financially, it seems all that more important to retain programs that do not cost additional money, are educationally sound, and provide an important source of motivation to teachers and students alike.

We respectfully request that The Halifax Regional School Board take whatever measures are necessary to ensure that no part of the High School Honours Program is dropped. Moreover, we request that the Grade 10 Honours English program be reinstated. We understand that the Department of Education and Culture mandates curriculum, however there is flexibility in the system, and this should be exercised. Should it be necessary, we would be pleased to work with you and the Nova Scotia Department of Education and Culture in resolving this important issue.

Yours sincerely,

Cheryl Kozey (Co-Chair)

Dick Tilley (Co-Chair)