Project Overview

Project status

Project manager or
resource person

Partner organization(s)

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Faculty of Education
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Prince Edward Island Office of Immigration
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Coopérative d’intégration francophone (CIF)
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Commission scolaire de langue française (CSLF)
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Fédération des parents de l'Ile-du-Prince-Edouard

Prince Edward Island Department of Education and Lifelong Learning

French Teacher Growth Plan: Recruitment and Retention Strategies - phases 1 and 2

PHASE 1
Research and development: identify French-speaking teachers and build a database
A database provides a better understanding of the profile of the current 400 teachers to inform future recruitment, address potential shortages and provide additional instructional or language support. The information collected could include school, current position, number of years of teaching, French language proficiency, province or country of origin, and training (e.g., degrees, programs [Core French, Immersion, FFL], language needs, teaching needs...).

Bilingual job fairs and activities/events for high school students
Such events are opportunities to gather information about potential future teachers by surveying high school students and possibly post-secondary students enrolled in French-language programs, which allows the province to develop recruitment materials in partnership with other local and national organizations. The materials highlight the benefits of teaching in Prince Edward Island and are part of a larger provincial strategy to recruit a bilingual workforce. The information collected in 2019-20 provides a basis for teacher recruitment and retention strategies for the coming year.

PHASE 2
Recruitment and retention

Provincial recruitment to grow the number of French teachers
The aim is to provide a financial incentive for students to complete their internship/practicum in a francophone environment. Collège de l'Île and UPEI’s Centre d’excellence en français (CEF) or Centre of Excellence in French, provide language support. More diagnostic services in French and follow-up language interventions and tools are offered to students before and during the B.Ed. program.

International recruitment to increase the international pool of candidates
In collaboration with the provincial immigration office and the Coopérative d'intégration francophone (CIF), a clear and streamlined process will be developed to recognize equivalent work experience and review all requirements for teaching in PEI.

Retention strategies for FSL and FFL teachers: preparing and supporting new teachers
The purpose is to provide resources, tools and support to new teachers in the English-language Public Schools Branch to help maintain and enhance French language skills in an English-language context. School principals are also provided with training and tools on how to support new French teachers.
A similar project is also being carried out in French First Language by the Commission scolaire de langue française (CSLF) French-language school board.

Targeted Results

PHASE 1
  • The research data provide the basis for teacher recruitment and promotional strategies and help the province develop promotional materials with other local and national organizations that address current needs.
  • A minimum of 300 French teachers are registered in the database.
  • A minimum of 100 students are surveyed.
  • 90% satisfaction among database users.
PHASE 2
  • Increased quality and quantity of B.Ed. applicants.
  • A minimum of 10 students receive support before entering the B.Ed. program.
  • A minimum of 10 students are offered scholarships.
  • 100% of students receive direct support in French.
  • A comprehensive recruitment process for international French-speaking teachers is provided to 50 potential candidates and recruiters.
  • 85% retention rate for new teachers in the Prince Edward Island school system.
  • A minimum of 20 teachers are mentored.

Main takeaways (learnings)

PHASE 1

  • Developing innovative recruitment tools for the 21st century.

PHASE 2

  • To be determined (project still in progress).

Potential/desired collaborations

ACPI and ACPLS
  • To support teacher recruitment.
Canadian School Boards Association (CSBA)
  • To foster greater collaboration between school boards: sharing expertise, best practices, interviews, hiring.

Digital platforms and documents for consultation or sharing

Digital platforms and documents for consultation or sharing

PEI Department of Education and Lifelong Learning Public Schools Branch website **New website coming soon**