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Consultation on Proposed Changes to Senior Years Programs and Graduation Requirements: Summary Report 2006

In April 2006, Manitoba Education, Citizenship and Youth invited school divisions and partner organizations to attend one of three consultation sessions held in Brandon (April 13), Winnipeg (April 20), and The Pas (April 26). Participants provided written feedback to the Department in the form of divisional responses. This feedback has been compiled and a summary report prepared.

 

Graduation Requirements

Current | Previous | Private Music Option (April 2004 Update) | Increasing Choice and Flexibility

During the past ten years many challenges have taken place within society and in education. Technology has made possible many educational opportunities that were not available in the past. Students are more aware of opportunities and choices that fit with their plans for a future career. Students are enrolling in college and university while in their Senior Years in school. As we all know, it is important that our education system meet the needs of our students in a changing world. With this in mind the Department has made a number of changes to increase student choice in the Senior Years.

The changes will allow students to choose courses that are of interest to them while at the same time keeping core courses common to all. This includes allowing Senior Years students to get credits for locally developed courses, distance education courses, post-secondary courses (college and university) and for community service. These changes have been made following consultation throughout Manitoba including with school boards, the Manitoba Teachers Society and parent councils.

 

Current Graduation Requirements

A Time to Know Which Direction to Go: The Senior Years - A Record of Graduation Requirements for Parents and Students (French Immersion Program)
This handbook outlines graduation requirements for Manitoba High School students in the Senior Years French Immersion Program.

A Time to Know Which Direction to Go: The Senior Years - A Record of Graduation Requirements for Parents and Students (English Programs)
This handbook outlines graduation requirements for Manitoba High School students (Senior Years).

Senior Years English Program (17 KB)
To meet the requirements of this program all subjects are taught in English with the exception of other languages studied.

Senior Years Français Program ( 18 KB)
The language of instruction for all Senior Years Français Program subjects is French.

Senior Years French Immersion Program (19 KB)
Out of a total of 28 credits, a minimum of 14 credits from courses taught in French are required to obtain the provincial diploma in French Immersion. At each grade in Senior 1 and in Senior 2, a minimum of 4 credits must be completed in French and at each grade in Senior 3 and in Senior 4, a minimum of 3 credits must be completed in French.

Senior Years Technology Education Program ( 19 KB)
The Senior Years Technology Education program consists of 14 compulsory credits and an approved cluster of 8 to 14 compulsory technology education credits. Students wishing to graduate from a Senior Years Technology Education Program must fulfill the minimum 28 credit graduation requirement. A cluster of technology education courses must be an approved group of 8-14 department developed and/or approved courses which facilitate the transition from school to work.

Senior Years Français/French Immersion Technology Education Program ( 87 KB)
The Senior Years Français/French Immersion Technology Education program consists of 18 compulsory credits and an approved cluster of 8 to 10 compulsory technology education credits. Students wishing to graduate from a Senior Years Technology Education Program must fulfill the minimum 28 credit graduation requirement. A cluster of technology education courses must be an approved group of 8-10 department developed and/or approved courses which facilitate the transition from school to work.

Student Transfer Guide
This guide, compiled by the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC), provides detailed information on the school systems and graduation requirements for each province and territory.

 

Previous Graduation Requirements

Before March 2001, there were four categories of Senior Years credits. These were: Compulsory Core (English language arts, mathematics, social studies and science]; Compulsory (physical education/health education); Compulsory Complementary (additional English language arts, mathematics, science, social studies and additional languages); and Optional Supplementary (a variety of credits such as music, the arts, home economics, industrial arts or locally developed courses).

There were five credits required in Senior 1 and 2 (Grades 9 and 10). These were: English language arts, mathematics, science, social studies and physical education/health education.

• At the Senior 3 level there were three required credits: English language arts, mathematics and Canadian history.
• At the Senior 4 level English language arts and mathematics were a requirement.
• Students were required to choose three credits from within the compulsory complementary category.
• Across their Senior Years, students were required to complete one Senior 3 credit and two Senior 4 additional credits within the compulsory complimentary and optional supplementary categories.
  Students could choose three Student Initiated Projects (SIPs) and over the four years of senior years schooling could enroll in a maximum of 11 School Initiated Courses (SICs). Note: SICs and SIPs are curricula that have been developed by school divisions/schools to meet local needs and interests.

 

Private Music Option

Through the Private Music Option, students can meet optional supplementary graduation requirements in Senior 1, 2, 3, or 4. Private Music Option guidelines and requirements are available.

 

Increasing Choice and Flexibility

The department changed the Senior Years graduation requirements based on consultations throughout Manitoba. While changes have been made, the required credits (15) remain but are now known as Compulsory credits. The other 13 credits now known as optional credits can be taken from a wider range of course choices. The compulsory complementary and optional supplementary categories have been replaced by the optional category.

These changes are explained in detail in the report Increasing Choice and Flexibility: Changes to Senior Years Graduation Requirements (March 2001) ( 74 KB)

A report on the status of the eight initiatives and the implementation process has been published in June 2002: Increasing Choice and Flexibility: Changes to Senior Years Graduation Requirements: A Status Report

The following changes are based on the consultation results:

• Categories of Credits
  The number of categories was changed from four to two: compulsory and optional. This change made graduation requirements easier to understand and gave students more choices.

 

• Locally Developed Curricula
  More opportunity is provided for School Initiated Courses (SICs) and Student Initiated Projects (SIPs) including sharing of such courses across the province. Students can select a maximum of 11 SICs and three SIPs across their Senior Years. Schools are encouraged to consult with parents and other community members, about their SIC and SIP school offerings.

 

• Distance Learning Courses
  It will be possible for students to take courses delivered from outside the province and use these as compulsory or optional credits.

 

• Post-Secondary Credits and Senior years (Dual Credits)
  Senior Years students are allowed to take college and university courses for Senior Years graduation credits.
  Guidelines for Implementing Post-Secondary and Senior Years (Dual Credits) ( 24 KB)
  Dual Credits - University and College Registration Form ( 43 KB)

 

• Substitution of Credits
  Principals may substitute one or two compulsory credits where individuals can make a strong case for doing so. Divisions must develop a policy regarding substitutions of credits for principals to be authorized to do this.