Aménagement Linguistique Policy (PAL)

Ontario’s Aménagement Linguistique Policy for French-Language Education (known in French as the Politique d’aménagement linguistique, or “PAL”) is a foundational policy for French-language elementary and secondary schools that is the cornerstone of all French-language education activities.

It outlines the mandate for French-language education, its strategic aims and key areas of intervention to achieve its goals.

The expected outcomes of the PAL are:

  • for students: an increased capacity to acquire oral communication skills to maximize learning and identity building
  • for school staff: an increased capacity to work in a minority language setting to support the academic learning and identity building of every student
  • for school boards: an increased capacity to maintain and increase student enrolment to contribute to the vitality of French-language schools and the broader Francophone community

The PAL was released in 2004 and guides the creation, strengthening and implementation of the necessary conditions for fostering the personal development of students and staff in French-language schools.

It helps French-language schools and school boards in ongoing planning and system improvement.

Consultation Policy on Governance of French-Language Education

This policy recognizes and acknowledges the importance of consulting with French-language education partners if a project proposal requires amendments to the Education Act or its regulations that could result in changes to governance of French-language education. It describes how to proceed when the Minister of Education decides to hold a consultation in relation to matters of governance of French-language education.

The policy supports the following three objectives:

  1. to consult French-language education partners regarding project proposals that could have an impact on the governance of French-language education
  2. to consider the information and opinions provided by the partners consulted
  3. to inform education partners of any decision made as a result of the consultation

The Minister of Education is responsible for the implementation of this policy and determines when a consultation is required and the terms of consultation.

Related

French-language education in Ontario