Hello Folks:
The announcement we have been waiting over a year to hear finally came down today.  You can read the complete report and the ministers response on the department's site at: http://tuitionsupport.ednet.ns.ca/  Also there is a short related article if you missed the dinner news coverage. 
 
To save you a little research I've put a little summary together with my impression.  As EEANS has not met yet to discuss the report, please note these are my thoughts not necessarily EEANS.  I'll start with the most contentious issue first:
 
Duration of Placement
The committee had recommended a 3 year placement with an opportunity for students who demonstrated a need, to continue on as long as it was supported by experts in the field.  This recommendation originated out of a compromise between the departments insistence that it could not be open ended, and EEANS insistence that any time limit is arbitrary and doesn't meet the governments obligation under the act and the charter of rights to provide the best education without causing undue hardship on the department. 

Since the committee unofficially presented its report to minister Casey more than 1 year ago, the department has had the opportunity to advocate for their preference for a time limit.  EEANS met briefly with Minster More in February to argue than any cap was inappropriate especially given the neutrality of the funding.  It costs no more to provide the program for 10 years than 3 years as this is not new money, but simply a transfer of the funds already allotted to the student.  We also presented an argument that demonstrated money saved on additional special needs programming in the public system more than offsets the money spent on supplemental funding for low income families. 

Unfortunately it appears we were unsuccessful in our argument.  The minister has stated that the program was intended to provide "short term alternative programming" and notes the Department does not support any extensions.  She confirmed it will be limited to 3 years with a 4th year for transition. Upon further questioning, Mr. Glover explained the 4th year will be virtually automatic part of the process given the DSEPS do their part to plan for transition.  Given this is a direct about face to what the NDP stated in the run up to the election and there is absolutely no proof or evidence that any one time limit is appropriate we are very disappointed.  EEANS first response will be heard tomorrow morning on CBC radio 91.5.  We suspect the minister or someone from the department will have the later 7:45 slot to rebut our concerns so be sure to tune in. 

One bright spot is parents don't have to wait until the last minute in September to know if they will receive support for the coming year. Regardless of your funding year, another year will be provided as a transition year.  As a result, some students now receiving support under a "grandfather" arrangement negotiated last September, will receive up to a 6th year funding. 
 
Long Term Effectiveness
The committee had reams of anecdotal information supporting the effectiveness of the program, but neither the department or the DSEPS schools have done much follow up.  The committee recommended a more formal tracking program and the minister agreed.  This is a positive step, as it will help ensure students continue to have success and parents expectations are met.
 
Research Based Interventions
The minister responded that accountability measures introduced in the long term effectiveness recommendation will address this.  I take this as a grudging acceptance that the DSEPS already far exceed the public system in the level of interventions offered as no specific requirements have been added.
 
Transitional Outcomes
The committee recommended that there be more support when transitioning students back to public school.  It is interesting to note that although the department try's to place the onus for this on the DSEPS, it's the public school system that typically drops the ball both inbound and outbound of the DSEPS.  The Minister supports this recommendation and I believe it will benefit our children when that time comes, as the added focus will pressure public schools to hold up their end of the arrangement better.  It will also serve to highlight any lack of supports which in extreme cases could be used to argue for a tuition agreement. 
 
Regional Accountability and Acceptance Criteria
This issue really stems from the concern that this program is unfair as it only is available in Truro, HRM, and the Valley.  It was used by the department to argue that the program should be closed be cause it can't currently be offered province wide.  The TSP committee responded that what really needs to happen is the service levels need to be increased province wide, and TSP actually makes the possibility of additional DSEPS coming into being.  The Minister supports the increase in service level, but of course there is no funding associated with this item.  As a result I do not expect any real change, other than additional DSEPS could enter the market now that TSP (for 4 years) is secure.  A common refrain of parents is the difficulty in getting approved for the program.  The committee tried to address this by removing the program submit by dates, requirement for a letter from the parent, and requirement of an IPP.  The first 2 were easy, and the minister has agreed. There is no longer a submit by date which helps parents making a decision at the end of the school year.  The letter writing was nonsense and has been dropped altogether.  The IPP is a little more complicated. The original idea was that there needed to be a way to identify the students who really needed this level of intervention from those who were dissatisfied, but essentially getting their needs met in the public system.  The IPP was seen as a tool to do that. 
 
Summary:
I've already received some notes from some very disappointed people and that's to be expected.  But it important to remember that we have at least 1 more year to continue the fight before any of our children are affected.  We are still much farther ahead than we when we started this 5 years ago.  These are changes to the regulations, and as such can easily be changed again.  The Minister is on shaky ground here, backtracking on a promise made repeatedly, and against the recommendation of the TSP committee.  Lets make sure she is aware of your concerns and frustration.  Your MLA has a responsibility to you and your family to bring your concerns forward.  Do that.  Get involved with EEANS, and SPEAK UP.  
 
Best Regards,
Wade Brummet, Chair
Equal Education Association of Nova Scotia
902-456-8937
www.eeans.ca