a history of curriculum services canada

A new Draft Business Plan for 1998 to1999 was submitted to the Board Meeting in May and
approved in principle at the Annual Meeting in June. This plan outlined six ways that OCC
planned to generate revenue in future: 1) Through the Evaluation of Commercial and Non-
Commercial Learning Materials; 2) Through the Management of Learning Materials Evaluation
for MET (a plan still not confirmed); 3) Through Charitable Fundraising; 4) Through Teacher
Training Programs; 5) Through Consulting Fees from commercial developers and publishers;
and 6) Through License Sales of OCC developed tools such as the Evaluator.
Other goals outlined in the plan were as follows:1) to secure the MET Management of Learning
Materials Evaluation contract; 2) to continue with an effective public relations campaign; 3) to
stay abreast of new and efficient technologies; 4) to make online Teacher-Training a priority; 5)
to improve internal electronic communications systems by finding methods and carriers who
have high client satisfaction records; 6) to reach out to parents, the community and other
stakeholders in education; and 7) to continue to perform in a more business-motivated
environment.
The contract with MET for textbook reviews was completed in the early summer, with a letter on
behalf of the Canadian Publisher’s Council arriving in late July congratulating the OCC team for
the thorough and professional services rendered. And most encouraging of all, the letter
indicated an intention of developing a mutually supportive relationship in future.
A more practical outcome of the contract experience was the realization of the need for a
glossary of terms for evaluators, to ensure consistency of written reviews, and with logos to be
used on approved learning materials. Thus preparation began on a measurement tool for
software evaluation. The idea that there was potential for OCC to evaluate software for the
provincial licensing process also arose, with developments in that direction commencing.
Finally, the issue of redesigning American material to meet Canadian standards was raised as
another possible marketing strategy.
Concerns about the future relationship with OTF took priority in the summer. OCC gave a
presentation to the OTF Executive meeting in August hoping to show OTF that the ultimate
intent of OCC was to work with and for the benefit of all teachers. OCC proposed the
establishment of a committee in which OCC and OTF officials could come together to address
the concerns of both organizations and provide a list of recommendations for a satisfactory
solution by November 1998.
There was also movement in the summer to expand the size and range of membership of the
Board. This initiative was in part a result of the ISO 9002 review. Suggestions were made that
future board members should have skills from a variety of backgrounds, including corporate law,
accounting, marketing, and/or public relations, textbook publishing, senior education
management, and the volunteer community. Moreover, there was concern that if OTF did
withdraw its membership, two practising teachers at large should be included on the Board.
1998
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