Discovering SCWI

What is SCWI?

The School/College/Work Initiative (SCWI) is a cooperative effort of the Council of Ontario Directors of Education (CODE) and the Committee of College Presidents (COP) and is jointly funded by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities.  SCWI works with Ontario district school boards and colleges through 16 Regional Planning Teams.

• SCWI provides opportunities for district school boards and colleges to bring together faculty, teachers, and administrators to work collaboratively to increase opportunities for student success.
• SCWI contributes directly to the increased capacity of boards and colleges to provide students with engaging programs and appropriate supports to ensure both secondary and postsecondary success.

Working together, schools and colleges can better inform students and parents of the wide range of college and apprenticeships programs and the knowledge and skills essential for success in such programs.

What is the Mandate?

All SCWI initiatives support the Learning to 18 Mandate of the Ministry of Education.

1. To improve the graduation rate to 85% by 2010
2. To address the achievement gap
3. To increase confidence in public education

 

Why is SCWI Important?

With almost half of secondary students going directly to the workplace and an estimated 19% of secondary students choosing college, it is critical that high school teachers and college faculty have a thorough understanding of:

• The education and career opportunities available through one, two and three year college programs as well as applied degree programs and apprenticeship programs.
• The courses and program pathways that will lead to success for a broad range of students including the struggling, disengaged, underachieving and early school leavers.
• The relationship between secondary schools and colleges which can result in dual programs, dual credits and advanced standing for students at colleges.

There are clear personal, social and economic benefits for students who continue their education/training beyond high school. For this reason, it is essential that secondary and college teachers and administrators provide engaging programs to help motivate students to achieve their potential. SCWI Regional Planning Teams, with representatives from all colleges and boards in the province, have the capacity to assist colleges and boards in this essential work.

 

 

www.gotocollege.ca to:

• discover supports for student success developed by all Ontario colleges and boards working together through 16 SCWI Regional Planning Teams.
• discover innovative projects and forums developed to improve retention and graduation rates and support successful transition to college and apprenticeship programs.
• find out how students, including disengaged and underachieving students, benefit when secondary schools and colleges align curriculum and build program pathways to college and apprenticeship programs together.
• see how schools and colleges are helping students and parents make informed choices about postsecondary education and career opportunities.
• learn where you can access resources for classroom programs including samples of first year college writing assignments for Technology, Business, Science and English classes.
• see the creative ways colleges are developing relationships with high school and elementary students, parents and teachers.
• read about current activities, forums, resources planned and being developed by the 16 provincial regional planning teams.