Looking Back Challenging French Rights in other Provinces In 1892, the North-west Temitories passed legislation to remove French as an official language. The law also ended government support of French language education after Grade 3 In 1905. Alberta and Saskatchewan were created as provinces out of the lower parts of the North-west Temitories. These two provinces wanted to confinue the same language policy. The French minority objected to and Laurier compromised again. He gave minorities the right to maintain separate schools; however, teachers were required to teach the provincial curriculum. What do schools look like today? Do we continue to follow the rules outlined by Laurier?Compromise? Explain.

Schools in Canada today are significantly different than those envisioned by Laurier's compromise. While his compromise aimed to balance provincial educational standards with minority language rights, the current system reflects a more nuanced and evolved approach to language and education.<br /><br />Laurier's compromise focused primarily on French language instruction within a separate school system. Today, while separate Catholic schools continue to exist in some provinces (a right also stemming from the 19th century), the approach to French language education has broadened. We now see various models, including:<br /><br />* **French Immersion:** This program, offered within the public school system, immerses students in the French language for a significant portion of their schooling, aiming for functional bilingualism. This model goes beyond Laurier's vision, as it integrates French language learning into the mainstream educational system.<br />* **Francophone Schools:** These schools, operating entirely in French, are primarily for students from Francophone families, ensuring their right to education in their mother tongue. This aligns with the spirit of Laurier's compromise, but within a more developed and comprehensive framework.<br />* **French as a Second Language (FSL) Programs:** Offered in most public schools, these programs provide varying levels of French language instruction to all students, recognizing the importance of French as one of Canada's official languages. This approach extends beyond the minority focus of Laurier's time, aiming for broader bilingualism.<br /><br />Furthermore, the educational landscape has changed significantly since Laurier's era. Provincial curricula have evolved, incorporating diverse perspectives and addressing contemporary societal needs. The focus on standardized testing and accountability has also grown, influencing teaching practices and school organization.<br /><br />In summary, while Laurier's compromise played a role in shaping the development of language rights in education, the current system reflects a more complex and inclusive approach. The focus has shifted from simply accommodating minority language instruction within separate schools to promoting bilingualism through various programs within the public system, while also acknowledging the importance of Francophone schools for Francophone communities. Modern schools also operate within a significantly different educational context, with evolving curricula and a greater emphasis on standardized testing and accountability.<br />