Town Of Fort Erie Learning Community Plan

Town Of Fort Erie Learning Community Plan

A Request for Stakeholder Input

The Town of Fort Erie is involved in establishing a plan for the achievement of a "Learning Community" in which all members are energized and engaged in learning for the benefit of the individual and the community. The plan is being developed with extensive stakeholder involvement. This discussion paper has been prepared to inform you about the project and solicit your responses to the emerging directions for learning in Fort Erie.

The Process to Date

In early 2005 the Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators approached Fort Erie to be the site of a national pilot for its "Blueprint for a Learning Community" project.
A Learning Community Advisory Committee was then struck comprised of stakeholders from local schools, post-secondary institutions, literacy organizations, businesses and other community agencies. The Committee gathered relevant information, developed a definition of a learning community and established some preliminary directions.
An educational planning consultant was retained in May 2007 to help facilitate and complete the process. The consultant gathered further data, conducted interviews with representatives of various stakeholder groups and is preparing an updated inventory of learning assets in the community.
On June 21, members of the Learning Community Advisory Committee participated in a full-day strategy development session. They reviewed the environmental scan data, engaged in visioning activities and developed draft goals.

What Happens Next?

The next step of the consultation process begins with this discussion paper, which reflects the thinking of the participants in the planning process so far. This is "work in progress" that will evolve as we hear more from our various stakeholders. Please read it carefully and consider the questions posed.

Complete the following online form. Focus questions have been provided to guide discussion and feedback. Your responses must be submitted by Friday, September 14, 2007.

The Advisory Committee will review and revise the plan based on feedback received and an implementation planning session will take place in September. The final plan will be presented to the Fort Erie Council at is meeting of October 9, 2007.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONTEXT

The following "SWOT" analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) for the system of services and supports for learning in Fort Erie was assembled from the environmental scan and input at the June planning session.

Strengths:	A broad range of existing programs and learning opportunities Strong local agencies A dedicated and active volunteer base Community spirit and high level of involvement Support from Council Good preschool, elementary and secondary schools Solid base of literature and best practices to draw on Some start-up funding
Weaknesses:	Gaps in some services Services tend to be fragmented Transportation in the area Lack of local post-secondary educational institutions Community segmented into separate geographic areas Literacy rates lower than the provincial average High school dropout rates above the provincial average
Opportunities:	Closer linkages with post-secondary institutions Increased partnering and collaboration among agencies Mobilizing community and corporate support Use of technology Increasing population base Proximity to the United States Addressing needs of newcomers to Canada and the community Raising the profile of Fort Erie as a learning community Global interest in literacy
Threats:	Stigma attached to literacy issues Competition from other municipal priorities Community parochialism Difficult to reach target groups Loss of funding and sustainability of initiatives Impending labour force crisis Potential loss of political support
Any strategic initiatives contained in the Learning Community plan will need to build on strengths, rectify weaknesses, capitalize on opportunities and address threats.

Focus Question:

Should any other strengths, weaknesses, opportunities or threats be considered?

Strengths:
Weaknesses:
Opportunities:
Threats:

DEFINITION OF A LEARNING COMMUNITY

The Learning Community Advisory Committee has produced the following definition of a Learning Community in Fort Erie:

Greater Fort Erie is a learning community in which all members are energized and engaged for the benefit of the individual and the whole community.

Focus Question:

Have any important elements of Learning Community definition been overlooked in this statement?

Feel free to suggest revisions to the definition.

VISION

A vision statement describes the "preferred future state" of a community and its stakeholders. Participants at the June planning retreat engaged in a visioning exercise and identified the following elements of a future for learning in Fort Erie:

Fort Erie will become a vibrant model community in which everyone learns and helps others to learn. Characteristics will include:

A full range of formal and informal learning opportunities for all ages
An emphasis on continuous lifelong learning
High levels of literacy across all groups
High educational achievement of youth and other community members
A solid and sustainable resource base for learning services and supports

Focus Question:

Have any vision elements been overlooked?

Feel free to suggest new wording for any parts of the statement.

VALUES

The Advisory Group also identified the following draft principles and beliefs to guide the development and implementation of the Learning Community plan:

Fort Erie will become a vibrant model community in which everyone learns and helps others to learn. Characteristics will include:

Inclusiveness and acceptance
Respect for all learners
Collaboration and partnering
The right of all community members to have access to learning opportunities to meet their specific needs

Focus Question:

Are there other key values that should be adopted?

Feel free to elaborate on the reasons for your selection.

EMERGING DIRECTIONS

The following high-level draft goals were developed at the planning retreat. They pertain to developing new services, increasing collaboration and raising the profile of learning in Fort Erie:

Service Development

1.1  Establish and enhance formal and informal educational opportunities for key
       target populations such as youth, seniors, newcomers to the community, persons
       with special needs and low income families.
1.2  Promote alternative modes of learning that meet the needs of learner groups.
1.3  Support learning initiatives in agencies, the school system and the workplace.
1.4  Increase post-secondary learning opportunities in Fort Erie.
1.5  Improve access to learning by addressing transportation and other barriers.
1.6  Continually monitor and assess the learning needs of all community members.

Collaboration and Linkages

2.1  Work with providers of learning services to establish a shared vision, develop
       clear communication pathways and ensure seamless access to educational
       opportunities.
2.2  Develop the capacity of learning services providers through partnering, training,
       information sharing and increased use of community talent.
2.3  Increase partnering with businesses.

Profile

3.1  Ensure that all citizens understand the advantages of and have a commitment to
       building Fort Erie as a Learning Community.
3.2  Address issues of stigma related to literacy and education.
3.3  Advocate with government and other sectors for the building of an enriched
       learning community in Fort Erie.
3.4  Promote recognition of Fort Erie as a successful model of a learning community.

Focus Questions:

Are there any suggested revisions to the draft strategic goals?

Service Development:
Collaboration and Linkages:
Profile:
Have any important goals been missed?
What do you feel should be the most important priority of the Advisory Group in the next year?

COMMENTS & SUGGESTIONS

Feel free to make any other comments or suggestions to assist with development of a Learning Community plan for Fort Erie:

Individual/Group completing form: (Optional)

Your input is greatly appreciated.