In November, 2008, the National Dialogue on Youth Resilience was held in Winnipeg, Manitoba. It was the culmination of a partnership between eight provinces and territories and The Learning Partnership (TLP), a national charitable organization founded in 1993 and dedicated to championing a strong public education system in Canada.
Parents, teachers, and decision-makers all have a stake in ensuring that children are well-prepared when they begin their formal education. However, the authors of this document note that the meaning of the term “ready to learn” is not as clear as it might first appear.
This report describes a demonstration classroom operated by Literacy BC and the Surrey school district, targeting at-risk youth who had significant literacy challenges. Literacy development, academic subjects, social and emotional development, art, and technology were combined in a two-year program designed to help students upgrade a wide range of skills and reintegrate into the school system.