April 7, 2010
PRESS RELEASE
DROPOUT PREVENTION A PRIORITY AT EASTERN TOWNSHIPS SCHOOL BOARD
MAGOG, April 6, 2010 – With the release from the ministère de l’Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport (MELS) of the dropout rates for the 2007-2008 school year, the Eastern Townships School Board (ETSB) has launched an extensive comparative analysis against its own internal data. The information released by the MELS shows an increase in the number of students leaving school without a diploma or qualification, for a dropout rate of 43.7% for 2007-2008. When comparing this against the ETSB’s own internal data, which takes into account the 49 students who left the province during that school year, the dropout rate falls to 34.6%.
“The dropout rate, as calculated by the Ministry, takes into account students that are registered in an educational institution in the province, therefore any student that leaves Quebec and goes to study in another province or country is considered a dropout. This migration of students leaving the province is more prevalent in the English sector and negatively impacts our dropout rate every year,” explained Chantal C. Beaulieu, Director General.
The school board is continuing its internal comparative analysis to uncover any other discrepancies and anomalies to be able to give an accurate portrait of the dropout situation in its territory. “We strongly believe that the concerted actions and efforts that have been put in place since September 2007 will have a positive impact on our dropout rate. For example, the 2007-2008 school year was the first year in which we implemented a recognized qualification program for the students of the Eastern Townships Learning Centre and the 16+ program at Massey-Vanier High School. The success of these students and programs will only be reflected in the 2008-2009 data. Our efforts will not be dissuaded as we strongly believe that having even one student drop out of school, is one too many,” stated Ms. Beaulieu.
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Source: Eastern Townships School Board
Information/Media relations: Sharon Priest
Communications Consultant
priests@etsb.qc.ca
819-868-3140
