lVlRS. HESTA MACDONALD 
     
     1965—1967 
     
    
   
   
    
     The years 1965—67 were exciting years 
     
     in the development of education on 
     
     Prince Edward island. The winds of 
     
     change were blowing, affecting 
     
     elementary, secondary, post-secondary 
     
     and continuing education, and as the 
     
     schools moved forward into element- 
     
     ary consolidation, Home and School 
     
     continued to press for the appointment 
     
     of a Director of Guidance and Special 
     
     Education Services for the province. 
     
     In November 1965, following a year's study of guidance needs, 
     
     our Federation in conjunction with other interested organizations, 
     
     presented a brief to the Executive Council, urging such an 
     
     appointment. Appointment of such a director was made by the 
     
     government the following year. 
     
    
   
   
    
       
     
    
   
   
    
     Secondary education in the province had become more 
     
     accessible with the development of regional high schools, but 
     
     needs were still apparent. The dropout rate was high. Statistics 
     
     showed that from 1948-1955, 18,222 boys and girls from this 
     
     province entered grade three, but only 5,254 made it to Grade 
     
     12‘ Home and School was studying high school curriculum. The 
     
     General Course at Grades 10, 11 and 12 levels was new at that 
     
     time and parents were beginning to hear prophesies about a 
     
     proposed ”comprehensive school system”. 
     
    
   
   
    
     The impact of the T.V. screen on a child's education and in 
     
     shaping his outlook and values was becoming apparent. Home and 
     
     School arranged a provincial meeting on the theme Focus on 
     
    
   
   
    
     Sight and Sound in the Learning Experience. Mr. Clifford 
     
     Edwards, a specialist in screen education, addressed this meeting. 
     
    
   
   
    
     The Minister of Education endorsed teacher attendance at that 
     
     meeting as a regular teaching day. Mr. Edwards’ challenge still 
     
     rings clear: ”Teach our youth to read behind the pictures; to 
     
     interpret the music; to question the values of society as portrayed 
     
     on the screen. Teach them to take a second look to sort the 
     
     values out.” 
     
    
   
   
    
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