“Actions that change their lives! "

More than 1,000 delegates from private schools in the Quebec City region gathered to promote the academic success of students with special needs

MONTREAL, April 2, 2013 / CNW Telbec / - More than 1,000 people working in private schools in the Quebec City region are gathered today at the Quebec City Convention Center for the “Life-changing gestures!” Conference. The purpose of this conference is to discuss successes and best practices and aim to identify certain characteristics of a model suitable for ensuring the successful inclusion of students with special needs. You can consult the program by clicking here.

“Private schools already welcome students with special needs and they are open to welcoming more,” says Édouard Malenfant, director of the Saint-Jean-Eudes private high school and member of the organizing committee. “Obviously, there is no question of lowering the standards. These students must be equipped and supported so that they succeed in their academic development and develop their full potential, by overcoming the obstacles that stand in their way. "

Several private schools have implemented a series of special measures to help students with special needs: individualized follow-up, access to specialized professional services, homework help, small groups with educational support, extra classes, programs and particular pathways, school residence, etc.

“Most private schools do not select students,” explains Richard Morin, director general of Externat Saint-Cœur-de-Marie and spokesperson for the event. Over the years, they have developed interesting expertise and innovative practices to ensure the success of all their students, including those with difficulties. We want to share our experiences and learn from each other to further contribute to the academic success of students with special needs. "

“When we welcome a student, we want to support him until the end of his academic journey. Private schools in the Capitale-Nationale and Chaudière-Appalaches region are giving themselves the necessary means to further contribute to increasing the school perseverance rate, and our results in this area bear witness to this, ”concludes Édouard Malenfant. The colloquium "Gestures that change lives!" Brings together primary and secondary schools, also seeking to develop common expertise and strengthen measures to facilitate the transition of students from primary to secondary.

The participants are teachers, specialists and management teams from private educational establishments in the Capitale-Nationale, Chaudière-Appalaches and eastern Quebec regions, working in preschool, elementary and secondary schools. Parents were invited in the afternoon to participate in a workshop for them and to hear the closing conference.

SOURCE: Federation of Private Educational Institutions