Other Schools in Saskatchewan
Some Saskatchewan children receive their education outside of the publicly-funded K-12 system.
Services outside the publicly-funded system include:
- First Nations Schools: The federal government funds education on First Nations reserves. Educational funding is provided to First Nations who often set up their own schools and establish their own governance bodies to oversee operation of the schools. The provincial government has no jurisdiction over these schools, although many First Nations schools choose to use the Saskatchewan curriculum and voluntarily participate in a range of provincial initiatives.
- Independent Schools: There are a few independent (private) schools in Saskatchewan. Independent schools must meet certain educational standards and be registered with the Ministry of Education.
- Home-Schoolers: A couple of thousand Saskatchewan children are schooled at home by their families. Home-schoolers must design an education program for their child that reflects the Saskatchewan curriculum and is appropriate to the age and ability of the child. They must register this program with the local school board.
Educational Organizations
Educational organizations represent various interests within the education system and play important roles in shaping educational policy and practice in Saskatchewan.
These organizations include:
- Ministry of Education: The Ministry of Education is the provincial government department responsible for Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 12 education in Saskatchewan. Key activities include:
- developing curricula for all grade levels
- providing inservice to support curricula
- evaluating resource materials for use in the schools
- developing regulations for independent schools and home-based education
- providing for teacher education
- administering legislation relating to education
- providing provincial grants to school boards
- maintaining student records
- the Minister may establish “directives” for school boards to comply with
In addition to these responsibilities that are defined in The Education Act, 1995, the Ministry of Education also provides leadership in several other areas. For example, it regularly conducts province-wide student and program evaluations.
- Saskatchewan School Boards Association: The Saskatchewan School Boards Association is a voluntary, non-profit organization that serves boards of education as the voice for publicly funded education in Saskatchewan. The Association represents all school boards in Saskatchewan. Part 4 of this handbook provides more information about the Saskatchewan School Boards Association.
- The Saskatchewan Association of School Business Officials (SASBO): SASBO is a professional association of certified school business officials. Secretary-treasurers and certain superintendents of administration employed by school divisions are required to be members of SASBO. SASBO provides professional development and networking opportunities for its members.
- The League of Educational Administrators, Directors and Superintendents (LEADS): LEADS is a professional association of educational administrators who work at the school division level. All teachers who are employed by a school board in a supervisory or administrative capacity and have an out-of-scope designation[1] are required to be members of LEADS. Members include directors of education, superintendents, and assistant superintendents of education. Regional directors of education employed by Saskatchewan Learning are also members of LEADS. LEADS provides professional development and networking opportunities for its members, represents its members’ interest in various forums, and administers the disciplinary powers that are an integral part of the legislation that created LEADS.
- Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF): The STF is established by legislation, The Teachers’ Federation Act, 2006, that came into effect on July 1, 2006. The functions of the STF fall into two broad categories:
- a self-regulating, professional association which provides numerous services to teachers such as professional development and a pension plan, and which has disciplinary powers in relation to its members
- a collective bargaining agent which negotiates collective agreement for teachers at the provincial level, provides support and advice for local-level bargaining, and provides representation regarding teacher grievances.
- Saskatchewan Professional Teachers Regulatory Board: The SPTRB serves the public interest by ensuring registered teachers meet professional standards for certification, conduct and competence.
Supplemental Information: History and Context