IEF-P1: Credit for Community Service - SIP and School Initiated Courses - SICs 

Student Initiated Project (SIP)

Student Initiated Projects (SIPs) are projects initiated by a student in areas of special interest not provided for in the senior years curriculum.  Prairie Spirit School Division encourages senior students’ consideration of SIP programs.

Prairie Spirit School Division  recognizes that students can make a significant contribution to their community by volunteering for worthwhile causes or organizations.  The civic skills, knowledge, and attitudes obtained from such community service activity can increase a student’s self-esteem and maturity, and provide more awareness of the needs of others in the community.

Accordingly, a credit may be available to a student who participates in such activity in the senior years for graduation purposes.  The granting of such credit will conform to the guidelines contained in the document:  Increasing Choice and Flexibility: changes to Senior Years Graduation Requirements Status Report (June 2002).

A Student Initiated Project (SIP) requires the approval of the parents or guardians, the Principal, and the Superintendent’s department.  The Student Initiated Project contract must be completed.

See:   

 IEF-E1 – Parent Approval Form

IEF-E2 – Community Service SIP Approval Form

School Initiated Course (SIC)

A school wishing to initiate a new course will present a comprehensive outline to the Coordinator of Student Services, along with a list of reference materials used in producing the course, as well as the strategies required for its implementation.  An estimate of costs involved should accompany the proposal.  These procedures apply to School Initiated Courses (SICs).  In its deliberations to accept or reject the course, the Coordinator of Student Services may call upon appropriate advisory personnel, preferably from the school originating the course.

Registration forms for School Initiated Courses (SICs) and Student Initiated Projects (SIPs) must be completed and forwarded to Manitoba Education (see IFB-E1 and E2)  [PSA 48(1)(e)].  

Reference:

Locally Developed Curricula: School Initiated Courses and Student Initiated Projects - A Handbook for Senior Years Schools (Manitoba Education and Training, 1995), and updates.

See also IED.

New Course Implementation of SICs and SIPs

A school wishing to implement a School Initiated Course (SIC) will present the following information to the Coordinator of Student Services, for consideration:

1. Rationale

• Does the SIC/SIP meet student and/or community needs?

• Does the SIC/SIP differ significantly (more than 50 percent) from the provincial curriculum?

• Is the justification for the course/project provided?

2. Student Learning Outcomes

• Are general and specific student learning outcomes identified?

• Do student learning outcomes include knowledge, skills, and attitudes?

• Are the student learning outcomes clearly written?

• Are the student learning outcomes achievable?

3. Content Outline and Time Allotments

• Is the content appropriate for 110 hours (1 credit) or 55 hours (.5 credit)?

• Are the topics/themes clearly identified?

• Are suggested times allotted to each topic appropriate?

4. Learning Approaches and Strategies

• Do the learning approaches and strategies facilitate student acquisition of the intended student learning outcomes?

• Are the learning approaches and strategies varied?

• Are the learning approaches and strategies appropriate to the Senior Years student or the adult learner?

5. Assessment Strategies

• Are classroom-based assessment strategies varied?

• Are the assessment methods appropriate?

• Is there provision for ongoing feedback and continuous improvement to meet the student learning outcomes?

6. Learning Resources and Bibliography

• Are relevant instructional resources identified and available?

• Are the resources socially and culturally appropriate?

• Are the learning resources suitable for the Senior Years student or the adult learner?

• Do the resources support the learning approaches and strategies?