- Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities
- Children’s Issues
- Education Finance
- Education Program
- Autism
- Children and Youth Mental Health
- Curriculum Issues
- English Language Learning (ELL)
- Equity and Inclusive Education Initiative
- French as a Second Language (FSL)
- Ontario College of Teachers
- Physical and Health Education Curriculum
- School Health Support Services
- Special Education
- Technology in Teaching and Learning
- First Nation, Métis and Inuit education
- Labour Relations
- Policy Development
- Trustees - Building Leadership Capacity
- Work Teams
Curriculum Issues
Printer-friendly versionFocussing on Student Success has been the theme of curriculum and assessment policy in the past year. Fundamental literacy has been recognized as an absolute requirement to student retention in school. It is critical that literacy be achieved by an early age if we are to combat the risks of disengagement, truancy and early school leaving. In addressing this issue, the Ministry of Education has created the Literacy and Numeracy Secretariat which is now working with school boards to facilitate teacher development and to implement programs that promote literacy and numeracy and build student success. OPSBA, along with other education sector partners, is pleased to see the adoption of additional policy initiatives that we have been advocating over recent years. These policies will create pathways for students to graduate whose aspirations do not include an immediate entry to post-secondary institutions. Welcome changes encompass:
- an increase, from three to six, in the number of "locally developed" or "essentials" courses the implementation of the Literacy Course for students who are unsuccessful on the Literacy Test in grade 10
- a revision of the grade 10 Applied level mathematics course which was conceded by most to be too difficult for the majority of students. new funding of $25 million has been distributed to boards to support technology programs.
The Working Table on "Learning to 18" has begun its work and several meetings have been scheduled. OPSBA welcomes the opportunity to be a partner at this Table and to contribute to recommendations that will influence strategies aimed at successful school careers and high school graduation for the highest percentage of students.