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Chapter 2: Organization and Responsibilities
Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
Management Guide
Government of Nova Scotia
Department of Education and Early
Childhood Development
Responsibilities
SENIOR MANAGEMENT
This branch is composed of Ofce of the Minister, Ofce of the Deputy Minister,
Ofce of the Associate Deputy Minister, Executive Advisor to the Deputy Minister, the
Executive Lead for Inclusive Education and Executive Lead for Early Learning Priorities
and Initiatives. This branch provides overall direction, coordination, and management
of education and early childhood programs and activities.
STRATEGIC POLICY, RCE LIAISON, AND RESEARCH
This branch is composed of Policy and Planning, Research Analytics and Information
Management, Teacher Certication, and Regional Education Services. It is responsible
for providing services to all areas of the department; including advice and support in
policy and planning, legislation, research, information and records management, data
and statistics, and publishing and design services. Regional Education Services act
in a liaison and advisory role with the Regional Centres for Education (RCE) on all
matters related to the Education Act and regulations, as well as home-based and private
schooling. This branch is responsible for all matters related to teacher certication.
EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT AND PRE-PRIMARY
This branch is composed of Early Years Integration and the Pre-Primary Program. The
branch works with provincial, regional, and community partners to ensure department
policies and programs are evidence-based and support early learning and healthy child
development. This branch is responsible for the implementation of the Canada - Nova
Scotia Canada-Wide Child Care Agreement.
EARLY LEARNING AND CHILDCARE
This branch is composed of Early Childhood Development Services and Licensing. It is
responsible for developing child and family-centred policies, regulations, and childcare
programs for children with a focus on the establishment of an integrated early years
system.
CENTRE FOR EQUITY IN ACHIEVEMENT AND WELL-BEING
This branch is composed of Student Assessment and Evaluation, Student Achievement,
Leadership, and Educational Research on the Achievement Gap and & Best Practices
in African Nova Scotian Learners. It is responsible for provincial, national and
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Chapter 2: Organization and Responsibilities
Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
Management Guide
Government of Nova Scotia
international assessments, and school and system improvement planning. This branch
works with multiple partners in education and is responsible for introducing new
models of teacher education, accreditation of university schools of education, teacher
growth and evaluation, learning and leadership development.
EDUCATION INNOVATION PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
This branch is composed of Innovative Curriculum Development, Learning Resources
and Technology, Career Exploration and Experimental Learning, Personal Development
and Wellness, and International Programs. It is responsible for the design,
development, implementation, and evaluation of programs and courses, and learning
supports and resources to meet the learning needs of all students so they can reach
their full potential. This branch encompasses on-line learning opportunities (Nova
Scotia Virtual School), the Nova Scotia School Book Bureau, Innovation Center, and
media supports. This branch also provides professional development leadership and
delivery on all aspects of the public-school program.
STUDENT SERVICES AND EQUITY
This branch provides strategic leadership and direction, in collaboration with a wide
range of partners, for the creation, development, implementation, and evaluation of
public school student support programs and services, SchoolsPlus and integrated
services. It provides leadership to strengthen the department’s ability to respond
equitably and effectively to all students. The branch establishes and maintains
partnerships and agreements with other provincial government departments,
institutions and community-based agencies to ensure a cohesive and collaborative
approach to meet the needs of students, parent/guardians, school and regionally based
staff.
AFRICAN CANADIAN SERVICES
This branch is accountable, in collaboration with other branches and partners, for
providing overall strategic leadership for the programs and services that pertain
to African Nova Scotian/African Canadian learners. It establishes and maintains
partnerships and agreements with other provincial government departments,
institutions and community based agencies to ensure a cohesive and collaborative
approach to meet the needs of teachers, parents, and students.
MI’KMAQ SERVICES
This branch is accountable, in collaboration with other branches and partners, for
providing overall strategic leadership for the programs and services that pertain
to Mi’kmaq learners in Nova Scotia. It establishes and maintains partnerships
and agreements with other government departments (federal, provincial, and
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Chapter 2: Organization and Responsibilities
Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
Management Guide
Government of Nova Scotia
interprovincial), institutions and community-based agencies to ensure a cohesive and
collaborative approach to meet the needs of Mi’kmaq teachers, parents, and students.
FRENCH PROGRAMS AND SERVICES BRANCH
This branch is composed of French First Language, French Second Language, and
French Language Services. It is responsible for the effective design, development,
piloting, implementation, and evaluation of programs and courses for Nova Scotia’s
French second language public school programs, grades primary to 12, and for working
in partnership with the Conseil scolaire acadien provincial (CSAP) regarding French
rst language programs and services. This branch also provides direction, leadership,
and consultative / advisory services to regions/school boards and their professional
staff on matters pertaining to French public-school programs.
Active Agencies, Boards, and Commissions
• Atlantic Provinces Special Education Authority
• Certication Appeals Committee
• Council on African-Canadian Education
• Council on Mi’kmaq Education
• Provincial Advisory Council on Education
• Teachers College Foundation
• Tuition Appeal Board
Acts Administered
• Atlantic Provinces Special Education Authority Act
• Early Learning and Child Care Act
• Education Act
• Education (CSAP) Act / Loi concernant l’education (CSAP)
• Education Reform (2018) Act
• Hospital Education Assistance Act
• Mi’kmaq Education Act
• Nova Scotia Teachers College Foundation Act
• Pre-Primary Education Act (2005)
• Teachers Collective Bargaining Act
• Teachers’ Professional Agreement and Classroom Improvements Act (2017)
• Teaching Profession Act
Administrative update: June 17, 2022