• Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement
• Good Governance
• Ontario College of Teachers' Review of Teacher Qualifications - Phase 2
• Ontario College of Teachers' Review of Teacher Qualifications - Phase 3
• Second Language Learning Position Paper
• CSBA Draft Consultation Paper "Meeting the Language Learning and Settlement Needs of Immigrant Children and Youth in Canada’s School Systems"
• Bill 123, Transparency in Public Matters Act
• Beginning Teacher Development Program

Policy and Program

Much of OPSBA's work on behalf of its member boards focuses on government policies and educational programs.

OPSBA provides timely legal and policy analysis of legislation and regulations announced at Queen's Park. The legislation and/or regulations are made immediately available to member boards, with analysis provided in a timely fashion. The impact of the announcement is monitored with feed back provided to Work Teams, Executive Council and the Board of Directors. Ultimately, OPSBA is called on to provide input, recommendations and advice to the government in the development and the impact of policy direction. To view more on OPSBA's activities in this area, see Legislative Issues.

OPSBA Work Teams and ad-hoc committees develop responses to government legislation and/or policy positions. As well, these bodies work on proactive policy development as directed by the Annual Meeting, Board of Directors or Executive Council. Through the work of the Executive Council and Board of Directors, positions developed by the Work Teams and ad-hoc committees are vetted and refined to become Association policy. This function is critical in maintaining effective, efficient responses to major government announcements and issues of significance in education. To view more on OPSBA's activities in issues management and policy development, see Children's Issues, Finance Issues, or Program Issues.

Ontario's public school boards have many viable and locally-developed programs that support public schools and students at the local level. See Interesting Programs for just a sample of some of these successful and innovative initiatives.

Much of the policy development work of the Association is completed by the Association's Work Teams. Specific "hot topic" issues may be considered by Ad Hoc Committees which report to the Executive Council. Currently the Association has two work teams: Policy Development, and Program. To view team memberships, terms of reference, and other information, see Work Teams.

OPSBA provides member boards and other education stakeholders with information on labour relations and human resources issues that affect public school boards in Ontario. Services to our member boards include: regular meetings of the Provincial Labour Relations Network; legal advice and analysis of relevant legislation; and an annual Labour Relations Symposium. The majority of the Association's information-sharing activities with member boards on labour relations issues is managed through LabRnet.

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