Students in Nova Scotia schools can fail.
Education Minister Karen Casey says despite reports during the recent teachers contract dispute, the province does not have a “no-fail” policy.
Casey says there is a framework laid out for holding a student back.
“There is no, ‘No-fail’ policy. The decision about placement and promotion of students is made by the classroom teacher in consultation with the parent and with the principal.”
Karen Casey wants to be perfectly clear.
“We sent a letter of clarification to the boards hoping that that would dispel that myth.”
Casey says school boards across the province held back 259 grade primary to nine students last year.
Casey says there was a line of thinking that students should stay with their peers.
But, she says, every effort should be made to ensure every student gets the skill set they need to move on.
