On the eve of the school year, the head of the Nice Academy, Claire Lovisi, held a press conference to present the educational developments implemented this year.
On September 3, approximately 361,977 students are expected in the 1,423 educational institutions for the start of the 2013 school year.
This event will take place under the theme of the refoundation of the School, meaning a comprehensive policy that includes the orientation and programming law as well as all other measures related to non-legislative reforms and provisions.
Claire Lovisi expressed her satisfaction with this school year, her third as the head. Indeed, this year the resources are more substantial, which made it possible to have 151 additional full-time equivalent (FTE) positions, 786 new assisted employment positions, and new contracts for future teacher jobs (EAP), bringing the total to 140 EAPs for the year 2013-2014.
A Major Educational Reform
This year, new priorities have been defined with the refoundation of the school. The first of these priorities concerns primary education (kindergarten and elementary) with the schooling of children under three, the “more teachers than classes” scheme in challenging areas, the introduction of a compulsory foreign language starting in first grade, as well as strengthening links with middle schools to ensure continuity between elementary and middle school, and between middle school and high school.
The second priority is to rebuild the training of teachers and education professionals with the ESPE (Higher Schools of Teaching and Education) so that teachers, counselors, and others can have a shared culture. These schools aim to be more professionalizing with alternating studies and preparation for the various facets of the profession.
The third priority is to integrate schools into the digital era. A public digital education service is created to provide educational resources and software to teachers, students, and parents.
Finally, the last priority will be to reduce dropout rates. To this end, dropout prevention measures will be implemented along with solutions targeted at young dropouts.
Ensuring All Students Succeed
Obviously, student success is the primary mission. Thus, the academy has expanded its training offer to meet the expectations of students and lead them to success.
Beyond the structures, the objective of success aims to provide the means to integrate into society. Attention will be paid to students with disabilities, non-French-speaking students, and the fight against inequalities and discrimination.
The law for the refoundation of the School of the Republic, promulgated in July, aims to make the school a more just, demanding, and inclusive institution.
Sébastien Paret
