2003/04 – 2005/06 SERVICE PLAN Ministry of Education

Summary of Related Planning Processes

Information Resource Management Plan

The ministry’s current Information Resource Management Plan is focused on improvement of decision support, reducing the burden of data collection on schools and districts, integrating a number of related systems and providing the education system with equitable access to educational content.

Major Projects

1. Information Systems Plan Implementation

The Information Systems Plan (ISP) is the four-year plan approved by Treasury Board to develop new information systems for the ministry’s use. The project, started January 2001, has established plans for developing:

• Easy access to information for Ministry staff. Access could be expanded to include appropriate use by education partners.
• Improved software applications and primary information registries.
• Systems that improve staff productivity by incorporating business rules.
• Web-based applications for electronic service delivery.

The current ISP applies only to ministry systems. Greater effectiveness and efficiencies in meeting New Era commitments are possible if ministry applications are integrated with school and school district systems.

2. The Provincial Learning Network

The Provincial Learning Network (PLNet) is the largest geographically dispersed, centrally managed data communications network in North America. PLNet service is provided to all public schools. Currently, it serves over 1,700 schools and related facilities, approximately 135 college campuses, institutes and agencies in about 325 communities. The network provides equitable and secure access to education resources across the province.

3. Common Student Information System

The Ministry of Education will investigate the feasibility of a common student information system to serve all schools. The solution will address the functional needs of schools, school boards and the ministry. The objectives for this year are to define the requirements for the system and obtain proposals from vendors.

Summary of Information Reporting and Monitoring Project

The New Era directions of student achievement, choice, flexibility, and accountability require that schools, school boards and the ministry, improve their monitoring systems, which includes data collection, analysis and reporting. Inadequacies in the current monitoring systems’ ability to provide information to students, parents, and school administrators in an efficient and timely manner need to be rectified in a cost-effective manner, and this will require inter-district and ministry collaboration.

Human Resource Management Plan

The Ministry of Education Human Resource Plan: Our Employee Learning Strategy embraces the six strategic goals for the public service and are considered fundamental to achieving the public service vision: “To Achieve Excellence in Public Service”.

The ministry’s human resource plan builds upon work begun by team of ministry staff, who in April 2001, produced the proactive report: “Our Employee Learning Strategy”. The report acknowledged that the ministry is functioning in an environment of accelerating change. Demographic trends, technological advances, the shift to a knowledge-based economy and client-driven culture, and the changing role of the public service compel the ministry to explore strategies that enhance organizational responsiveness and flexibility.