What you need to know about provincial education consultation

Yorkreigon.com
November 7, 2018
Teresa Latchford

The Ontario education ministry wants parents, students, educators and organizations to tell it where to go.

With a goal of preparing students for success, improving academic achievement and equipping them with the tools needed to enter the working world, the ministry is focused on asking for feedback in seven areas of the education system.

Ontario’s government is calling it “unprecedented consultation” on the province’s $29-billion education system.

This process is intended to allow Ontario parents to voice what they want their children learning in the classroom.

All consultations and submissions must be completed by Dec. 15.

The ministry has confirmed all consultations will help to shape decisions moving forward.

The seven areas of discussion:

Improving student performance in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM)

Ontario students are missing the mark when it comes to meeting the provincial math scores according to EQAO results. The government released a teacher’s guide and parent fact sheet earlier this year to highlight math concepts and skills in the curriculum focused on traditional formulas and memorization rather than discovery math.

In a previous article, York University Prof. and York Region mother Tina Rapke said the documents are well intentioned but lack concrete examples of how the teaching theories should play out in the classroom and at home.

Preparing students with needed job skills, such as skilled trades and coding

Currently York Region high schools offer Specialist High Skills Majors (SHSM) designed to let grades 11 and 12 students heading for apprenticeship training, college, university or the workplace to focus on a career path that matches their skills and interests while still completing an Ontario Secondary School Diploma. Students receive the SHSM seal on their diploma following the completion of eight to 10 courses in the field, industry certifications and a co-operative education placement.

Improving provincial standardized testing (EQAO)

Standardized testing is administered through the Education Quality and Accountability Office to students in grades 3, 6, 9 and 10. The testing assess how well the system is teaching students reading, writing and math skills.

Ensuring students graduate with important life skills, including financial literacy

In the current education system, students in grades 4 to 12 learn about financial literacy to understand how to make informed decisions about money. This includes building understanding about personal finances, local and global economy and the results of consumer choices.

Managing the use of technology in classrooms, such as cellphones

The introduction of technology in the classroom including the use of smartboards, laptops, iPads and cellphones to increase student engagement isn’t a new concept. However, many education experts have questioned at what point does it become disruptive or a distraction.

Building an age-appropriate health and physical education curriculum

Just before the bell rang in September, the Ontario government scrapped the new health education curriculum implemented by the previous Liberal government and enacted an interim curriculum, which eliminates discussions about consent, masturbation and gender identity.

Some parents, experts and organizations have protested the decision, claiming it leaves out a number of issues facing children in today’s society and that the interim teachings are outdated. Others applaud the decision to abolish what they call a “radical sex curriculum” and hope the current government will continue on the path it has gone down.

Developing the first Parents’ Bill of Rights

Little detail has been released regarding the creation or intention of the Parents’ Bill of Rights other than the Conservative government claiming other jurisdictions use this to support parent education rights such as providing timely access to resources and supports and to act as a protection against exclusions.

How to get involved:

There are three ways you can have your say about the seven consultation topics.

Firstly, a telephone town hall will be held on Nov. 13 from 8:30 to 10 p.m. In order to participate, individuals must register at Ontario.ca. Following registration, participants will be provided with the phone number to call.

Secondly, fill out the education ministry’s online consultation survey by visiting Registration.fortheparents.ca.

Thirdly, open submissions are being accepted. These can be submitted using a ministry provided submission form that can be found at Ontario.ca or a written submission can be emailed to fortheparents@ontario.ca, including a name or the name of the organization, using the subject “provincial consultations" and attaching the submission as a PDF or Word document.

For more information, visit Ontario.ca.