Breaking New Ground
Mundessa Development Corporation
Box 32081
Whitehorse, Yukon Territories
Y1A 5P9
Tel: (867) 633-6938
Fax: (867) 633-6938
E-mail: jgbaker@edu.polarcom.com

Program Mission & Objectives:

Breaking New Ground is a new, innovative, computer-directed program designed to help Ta’an First Nations people get a recognized high-school diploma from the Yukon Territorial Government. The program does not offer ‘upgrading’ in the traditional sense, but rather an advanced technology, the ‘Pathfinders’ computer program, which explains, instructs and tests learners in the BC/Yukon high-school curriculum until they demonstrate mastery (80% or more) of a given subject at a given level, before allowing them to proceed to more advanced levels. Learners are able to complete, at their own pace and directed by the computerized system, all required and optional credits to earn their high-school diploma.

The program and equipment have only been operational since February 1998, with 11 participants, which is the maximum capacity given the space and equipment available. Learners are assessed for placement by the Educator through both personal consultation and CAAT testing. Then they are introduced to the software, and the Educator continues to monitor progress and adjust the level of instruction to one appropriate for each individual. The program is managed by the executive of the Mundessa Development Corporation, which is the economic development branch of the Ta’an First Nation.

Program Features:

• The program offers all required courses from Grades 8 to 12 following the BC/Yukon Territorial Curriculum: learners are required to complete credit courses in English, math, sciences, social sciences and career planning, as well as a choice of optional credit courses such as consumer education, business, law, biology, chemistry, physics, etc. In addition, learners must take a four-week life-skills course.