Over the past number of years, CMEC has focused resources on an Aboriginal Education Action Plan guided by three pan-Canadian objectives: sharing best practices in Aboriginal education, strengthening the capacity for evidence-based decision making, and addressing teacher-training issues in Aboriginal education.
Sharing best practices in Aboriginal education
CMEC has developed an on-line database that provides a snapshot of provincial, territorial, and federal best practices for Aboriginal students in early childhood, elementary, secondary, postsecondary, and adult education. The database can be searched by theme, level, and jurisdiction.
Strengthening the capacity for evidence-based decision making
CMEC has a long tradition of facilitating the development of robust, comparable education data to inform provincial and territorial policy development and decision making. Through the Canadian Education Statistics Council, a joint venture of CMEC and Statistics Canada, work continues to define, collect, and share Aboriginal-education-related data.
Addressing teacher-training issues in Aboriginal education
Ministers of education continue their work with faculties of education, school boards, and teachers’ colleges, and in consultation with regional and national Aboriginal education organizations, to move forward on the training of Aboriginal teachers and facilitate the inclusion of Aboriginal culture and history in teacher-education programs.
Ministers of education are currently reviewing a new Aboriginal education strategy that will build on the successes of CMEC’s work so far.