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RDC to offer new Bachelor of Science Degree – First baccalaureate degree outside of applied programming.

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From RDC Communications

RDC celebrates new learning opportunities for central Alberta students with approval of Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences

RDC is celebrating the approval to offer a new Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences degree. Alberta’s Minister of Advanced Education, Demitrios Nicolaides, has approved RDC to offer this new degree, providing students with more opportunities to complete their post-secondary education in central Alberta. This achievement marks a major milestone in theinstitution’s history as it is the first baccalaureate degree outside of applied programming.

Starting in September 2021, students can begin their education in this new degree at RDC.

“We are excited to be able to offer more students with degree-completion opportunities through this new Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences,” says Dr. Peter Nunoda, RDC President.

Students in RDC’s new degree will study various aspects of biological sciences to prepare them for a diverse set of careers in this field. Areas of study include animal physiology, molecular genetics and heredity, botany and ecology.

One area of pride for RDC within all its programs is the hands-on learning experiences in which students participate. Students in the College’s new Bachelor of Science program will engage in learning activities that will help provide them with project management experience, research skills, presentation skills and critical thinking. The program also includes an applied study course in which learners will receive credit for discipline-specific education through volunteer or work experiences.

“This degree has been carefully and thoughtfully developed to provide students with learning opportunities in the sciences discipline. Learners in this BSc. degree will engage in research as well as practical and experiential learning activities to equip them for future careers and educational pursuits,” says Kylie Thomas, RDC’s Vice President Academic and Research. “RDC’s knowledgeable and talented faculty now have further opportunity to share their expertise and position learners for success at RDC and beyond. We look forward to welcoming our first students to the Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences degree program.”

RDC appreciates the support it has received from the Campus Alberta Quality Council (CAQC) and the Minister of Advanced Education in providing his endorsement of this new high-quality, well- planned degree. Additionally, local and regional MLAs have played a huge role in advocating for RDC’s positive future to grow its programming.

“The support that RDC has received from our students, employees, alumni, stakeholders and community members has been an essential aspect in the success we are realizing now with the ability to grant this new degree,” Nunoda says. “This has truly been a community effort, for the benefit of the community, as more learners will be able to study, graduate and work in the region, thanks tothe enhanced program opportunities at RDC.”

As a degree-granting institution, RDC continues to serve its learners by expanding degree opportunities as well as delivering existing and new programing in apprenticeships, certificates, diplomas, micro-credentials, applied degrees, and collaborative degrees in collaboration with Alberta universities.

The institution will also continue to offer the same variety of programming in diverse subject areas as it does currently, including humanities and social sciences, health sciences, creative and performing arts, business, education, and sciences.

“We are so pleased to now offer a degree developed and granted by RDC in addition to our already strong program mix,” says Guy Pelletier, Chair of RDC’s Board of Governors. “Looking ahead, we look forward to continuing our work with the Ministry on our remaining proposals for a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science in Psychology, along with a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Education. By expanding our degree offerings, we will be able to better serve central Albertans, now and in the future.”

Students who wish to receive more information about RDC’s new Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences can email [email protected] or call 403.342.3400 (toll-free: 1.888.732.4630). Students will be able to apply for this program starting in the coming weeks by visiting rdc.ab.ca/apply.

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Red Deer

St. Joseph High School Celebrates Brody Andrie’s National Boxing Championship Victory

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News release from Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools 

St. Joseph High School (SJHS) is thrilled to announce that Grade 12 student Brody Andrie has been crowned the National Champion in the 57 KG youth division at the prestigious Canada Cup & Junior Youth Canadian Championships. The championships were held at the Genesis Centre in Calgary from March 20 to March 24, 2024.

Brody, a dedicated member of Team Alberta and a fierce competitor from the Shadow Box Boxing Club in Lacombe, has achieved a remarkable milestone by winning gold in his division. This victory not only highlights his outstanding skills and dedication to the sport of boxing but also marks him as the first central Alberta boxer to be crowned a national champion in decades.

Reflecting on his victory, Brody shared, “This win is not just for me but for everyone who has supported me along the way. I’m proud to bring this championship back to Lacombe and hope to inspire other young athletes in our community.”

SJHS Principal, Gary Gylander, expressed his admiration for Brody’s achievement, stating, “Brody’s success is a testament to his hard work, perseverance, and the support of his coaches and community. We are incredibly proud of him and look forward to seeing what the future holds for this outstanding young athlete.”

This is a historic moment for both Brody and central Alberta, shining a spotlight on the talent and potential within our community.

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Education

Higher spending on K-12 education does not result in better student outcomes

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From the Fraser Institute

By Derek J. Allison

Higher levels of per-student spending do not achieve higher student scores on standardized tests, either internationally or among the provinces, finds a new report published today by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian public policy think-tank.

“Just spending more on K-12 education does not lead to better student outcomes,” said Derek J. Allison, Fraser Institute senior fellow and author of School Spending and Performance in Canada and Other High-Income Countries.

The study compares provincial per-student spending on K-12 education in 2018 (the last year of comparable data) to other high-income countries in the OECD and to performance on the OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA).

It finds that higher per-student spending levels are not associated with stronger academic achievement. In fact, in 2018, 10 countries—or one third—of the high income OECD countries included in the analysis spent more per student than Canada but achieved significantly lower PISA scores.

Similarly, among the provinces, Saskatchewan was the highest per-student spender among the provinces but ranked 8th out of 10 on PISA scores. Manitoba was the second-highest per-student spender and recorded the lowest PISA scores nationwide. Conversely, British Columbia was the lowest spender per student in Canada and achieved the fourth-highest PISA scores.

“The evidence is clear—simply spending more on established K-12 schools without finding new and better ways to help kids learn will not improve student outcomes,” Allison said.

Provincial per-student spending (2018) compared to core PISA score

Province                                          Spending                  Core PISA score

Saskatchewan                                Highest spender      8th
Manitoba                                         2nd                             Lowest PISA score
Alberta                                             3rd                              Highest PISA score
Nova Scotia                                     4th                              5th
Ontario                                             5th                              3rd
New Brunswick                               6th                             9th
Quebec                                              7th                             2nd
P.E.I.                                                 8th                             7th
Newfoundland and Labrador      9th                             6th
British Columbia                            Lowest spender      4th

Click here to see the full report

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