a history of curriculum services canada

VII. 1997
January - March
The new year began optimistically with the issue of copyright for The Evaluation Tool finally
resolved. OCC had written agreement from MET to sell The Evaluation Tool for a period of two
years, from 1 January 1997 to 31 December 1998. This tool, now renamed The Evaluator, was
in its final design stage and was to be presented by the end of the month for final review.
Advertising for The Evaluator had been ongoing during its development stage and OCC was
now keeping a list of potential orders.
A list of potential commercial and corporate buyers for the learning materials was also being
developed, and the decision was made to hire a member of the former Evaluation Team on
secondment to set up a review team which would review all materials and develop and deliver
training programs. Early feedback indicated that many of the materials in the catalogue did not
meet the evaluation criteria and were thus unacceptable. It was suggested that OCC’s efforts to
establish product endorsement could be assisted by providing developers with specific criteria
before products were submitted to OCC for review.
The first steps toward revision of OCC’s policies and by-laws were also taken in January. These
changes were necessary to fulfill the new legal status of incorporation, and it was agreed that
subsequent updates would be initiated over time as needed. Amongst the changes addressed was
a conflict of interest clause specifying the parameters of directors’ responsibilities to OCC, a
concern raised in 1996. Also of relevance was the change in voting status for Ministry
representatives now that OCC was incorporated. Although MET representatives were now no
longer able to vote or chair committees, their physical presence on the Board was actively
encouraged in an attempt to maintain strong relationships with the Ministry.
Funding, however, remained the main agenda of the new year. OCC’s three-year funding
agreement with MET and OPSBA was coming to an end on 31 March 1997. A business plan
presentation to MET officials was scheduled for February, with OCC’s financial requirements
from MET rationalized in detail and forecast to the year 2001. Included in this plan was the idea
that OCC would take over ownership of assets from OPSBA.
Initial response to the presentation was very positive. Ministry officials were favourable towards
the idea of seeking private sector partnerships and suggested that, in future, representatives of
the private sector should be included on the OCC board and more actively involved in OCC.
The Ministry also liked the idea of using revenues for merit awards and for funding the
development of learning resources in schools and boards, thus focusing on more grassroots
development. Questions were raised about the process (e.g., electronic “connectivity”) by which
OCC could work with other organizations and consortia, and stronger connections with ILC
were encouraged. This last point came out of MET’s ongoing concern for more connectivity
©2008 Curriculum Services Canada 37