Issue link: https://takingitglobal.uberflip.com/i/1542824
R. Adeboye, C. Flewelling,V. Ogbole, E. O'Sullivan 5 complexity by applying a Contribution Analysis approach to better understand and illustrate the program's role within the broader educational landscape, particularly with respect to its contribution to improving graduation rates. Program Description Background and Evolution of Connected North Students in remote Indigenous communities in Canada face barriers to educational attainment due to geographic isolation (Layton, 2023a; Layton, 2023b; Blankinship and Lamb, 2023); limited access to culturally relevant (Sékaly and Bazzi, 2021; Fowler and McDermott, 2020) and diverse learning opportunities (People for Education, 2023; Assembly of First Nations, 2024), and the intergenerational impacts of colonial policies (Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, 2015; Indigenous Services Canada, 2023). Teachers often have limited capacity to address these challenges and experience considerable strain in striving to provide quality education amid resource constraints, limited access to specialized expertise (Kitchenham & Chasteauneuf, 2010; Skyhar, 2020), and reduced opportunities for professional development (Skyhar, 2020), including in areas such as culturally responsive pedagogy (Burleigh, 2020). In this context, Connected North was launched in 2013 to broaden access to engaging and culturally relevant learning opportunities for students in remote northern communities 1 . The program uses two-way interactive videoconferencing to connect classrooms with educators, experts, and cultural knowledge holders across the country, and to offer professional development opportunities for teachers. In doing so, it aims to support teachers' efforts to deliver quality, meaningful, and culturally-relevant education that enhances students' learning experiences and maximizes their chances of success. Services Offered The core of Connected North's programming comprises interactive educational sessions delivered by live presenters to classrooms via two-way video conferencing technology. These sessions are tailor-made by Connected North's Content Providers, who either reach out to Connected North with a session proposal or are directly sought out and recruited by Connected North based on client requests or to align with regional curricula. Connected North has a network of more than 400 Content Providers, about half of whom are Indigenous, with sessions covering a wide range of topics from arts to social sciences to STEM; as well as sessions focused on careers and postsecondary school options. Connected North endeavors to offer a wide range of sessions suitable for kindergarten through grade 12, which can be tailored further to meet the unique needs of students in their varied contexts. Importantly, Connected North sessions are not designed to replace traditional in-person, teacher- led learning. That is, although the sessions are designed to impart and/or deepen knowledge, it is 1 Although Connected North prioritizes schools in remote Indigenous communities, it is open to any school and, in fact, serves a few schools in more urban areas, such as Toronto.