The draft regulation to amend the Basic School Regulation for preschool, elementary, and secondary education introduces several modifications aimed at updating and improving the existing framework. These amendments focus on redefining certain student life services, adjusting subject-time allocations for specific training programs, and revising the evaluation of learning, including changes to report cards.

One of the key changes involves replacing the moral and spiritual dimensions of student life services with a broader focus on personal development and civic citizenship. This shift reflects an effort to modernize the educational approach by emphasizing personal growth, autonomy, and social responsibility rather than traditional moral or spiritual instruction. Additionally, references to spiritual care and guidance services have been replaced with facilitation services in personal development, further reinforcing this change.

Another significant amendment concerns the allocation of instructional hours for training programs that lead to a semi-skilled trade. The adjustments aim to better align the curriculum with student needs, ensuring that the time dedicated to vocational training is more effectively distributed. This change is expected to provide students with a more structured and practical learning experience, better preparing them for future employment opportunities.

The draft regulation also introduces multiple modifications to the assessment of student learning. At the preschool level, specific areas to be evaluated are revised, ensuring that early childhood education focuses on key developmental aspects. In elementary and secondary education, particularly in the first and second cycles, adjustments are made to the format and content of report cards. These changes include annualizing report cards, meaning that instead of issuing multiple term-based reports, the evaluation will be structured to reflect the entire academic year. This amendment aims to provide a more comprehensive overview of a student’s progress and performance, reducing administrative fragmentation and offering clearer insights for both educators and parents.

Further amendments are made to support the implementation of these changes, particularly in relation to the annualization of report cards. These adjustments ensure consistency across different levels of education and streamline the reporting process. By reorganizing the format and general information provided in report cards, the regulation seeks to improve clarity and efficiency in the communication of student progress.

The proposed amendments aim to shift the educational framework by prioritizing personal development, civic responsibility, and streamlined evaluation methods. By modernizing certain aspects of student life services, improving vocational training allocations, and refining the assessment process, the regulation aims to improve the overall quality and relevance of education in Québec.

Quebec (Draft) February 12, 2025