All high school students in Québec pursue studies in the approved Ministère de l'Éducation et Enseignement supérieur Quebec Education Program in General Studies.
The Quebec Education Program (Q.E.P.) is designed as a system with three integrating elements: broad areas of learning, cross-curricular competencies and subject areas. Its structure is intended to facilitate the establishment of connections among the different educational components.
Traditional high school courses (English, French, Math etc.) are grouped into subject areas that are related or have a common focus. The General Studies curriculum is split into six subject areas:
The Q.E.P. presents a number of broadened areas of learning, which deal with major contemporary issues young people will have to confront, both individually and collectively, in different areas of their lives. These issues also represent challenges to their talent and creativity. Five areas were chosen on the basis of their importance for society and their relevance for the students’ education:
Cross-curricular competencies represent goals that are common to the whole curriculum. They apply to all the broad areas of learning and are also closely linked to the subject areas. The Q.E.P. containes nine cross curricular competencies grouped into four categories:
