2006
Education

High quality, reliable, accurate information is critical to sound decision making in the education field. Teacher allocations, planning for school renovations and construction, easy access to testing results and achievement trends, etc. are all dependent on the availability of pertinent and timely data. Kerry Pope, as Manager of Research and Statistics, has diligently been engaged in harnessing such necessary information through the collection, analysis and storage of data from the school system and other sources.

Kerry developed the School Profile System. This system enables departmental staff and people in the field to obtain data they need to document outcomes and changes, identify needs, develop well-informed plans and report on progress. It was developed well before evidence-based decision making and focusing on strategic planning and program outcomes were an accepted part of policy development and system improvement. From the outset, Kerry worked to ensure the system is continuously refined to meet increasingly complex needs. Information from the system is used to support planning and reporting by school districts, the Department of Education, and many others engaged in community and economic development work.

In addition to Kerry’s work in developing and promoting the use of the School Profile System, his work has been fundamental to the Royal Commission on Education (1992), the Ministerial Panel report (2000) and, in the past year, the Individualized Student Support Plan and Procedure Review, as well as the Teacher Allocation Commission. Furthermore, he has nurtured many staff analysts throughout his career, ensuring they have the opportunity to learn firsthand how to approach challenges and tasks systematically and professionally, all the while fostering a collaborative working relationship.

Kerry’s leadership abilities and innovative thinking are clearly demonstrated in the many challenges he has assumed and overcome within the department. His leadership style is powerful, yet gentle, and he elicits a sense of respect and support from staff who work closely with him each day. Kerry is a team builder who is quick to recognize the abilities of those whom he supervises, and he empowers them with a sense of responsibility and pride in the initiatives they undertake.

At all levels of the education system, Kerry is well known and respected. His commitment to excellence and his professional approach to everything he does is an example of how the public should be served by government employees.