Student Retention
A report* issued by the Fonds québécois de la recherche sur la société et la culture, has established a close link between having a high-school diploma and the overall health and well-being of the entire population. The main conclusions of the report are as follows:
- Education is a fundamental, essential resource.
- It is important to support actions aimed at preventing young people from dropping out and improving high school graduation rates, particularly in low-income areas.
- We need to motivate educators and decision-makers through the acquisition of new knowledge, and focus on professional development initiatives through continuing education.
- We need to promote the integration of the psychological and sociological approaches to education: life outside school must be part of the solution to maximize children’s potential for academic success and social integration. We need to intervene in all areas of the child’s life.
In 2008, the Foundation’s student retention project team began by meeting with the province’s 15 Instances régionales de concertation (IRC) in order to obtain a clear picture of the current situation. The team also collaborated with the Groupe d’action sur la persévérance et la réussite scolaires au Québec, under the direction of
L. Jacques Ménard, President of BMO Financial Group, Quebec. The work done by this group resulted in the publication of Savoir pour pouvoir, an action plan to support efforts to keep children in school, taking into account the specific characteristics and requirements of each region, school, neighbourhood or village.
These two projects led to the development of an innovative initiative
In March 2009, the Quebec government, represented by the Secrétariat à la jeunesse, and the Lucie and André Chagnon Foundation finalized a long-term agreement to support the efforts of stakeholders in children’s educational success—not only schools and parents, but municipalities, the business community, the health sector and community organizations as well.
This partnership for student retention resulted in the creation of a non-profit organization, called Réunir Réussir, whose Board of Directors met for the first time on December 4, 2009.
On August 24, 2010, Réunir Réussir launches its funding platform
On August 24, 2010, Réunir Réussir launches its funding platform to promote student retention in Quebec high schools. Over the next five years, the organization will focus on providing support for actions initiated through regional and local mobilization. Although there has already been some improvement, close to 30 % of young people under 20 are still dropping out before they graduate.
The Foundation’s decision to support regional mobilization will also help coordinate the activities of local and regional groups such as Québec en Forme and Avenir d'enfants.
Interested in participating, finding out more or applying for funding?
Visit the site at http://www.reunirreussir.org/ for information on applications for project funding.
* available in French only