December 3, 2007 | Vol. 19, No. 34

WHAT'S INSIDE?

OPSBA’S Executive Council and Board of Directors Held Meetings in November/December
Public Education Symposium 2008
Premier's Awards for Teaching Excellence
Regulation on Accessibility Standards for Customer Service
CSBA Makes Presentation to Federal Budget Committee
Recent Elections held at School Board Associations Across Canada
PIRLS Reveals Ontario Grade 4’s at Top of Class
Rural Education Congress 2008 – Call for Papers
CSBA Info-Picks, November 1
BCSTA e-Digest, November 29, 2007
Calendar of Events

At OPSBA

OPSBA’S Executive Council and Board of Directors Held Meetings in November/December

The OPSBA Executive Council and Board of Directors held meetings on November 30; and November 30 and December 1, respectively. A General Meeting was also held during this period for the purpose of electing the OPSBA President and a new Vice-President.

See OPSBA News Release.

At the business meetings, member board representatives had the opportunity to consider a range of current education issues and to make decisions regarding directions on a number of priorities for the year ahead.

Education Finance
The Board reviewed a draft brief on education funding to be submitted to the Minister of Education in the coming weeks. The brief acknowledges the positive response of the Minister to a number of issues raised by public boards in last year’s brief and notes that her August 14, 2007 funding announcement addressed several OPSBA recommendations related to permanent benchmark adjustments for salaries and benefits, as well as making a commitment to review the funding model.

While recommendations related to ongoing benchmarks adjustments are included in this year’s brief, there is a focus on a number of critical areas, including:

• Review of the Funding Model
• Negotiations
• Release Date for the 2008-09 GSN
• Full-Day Kindergarten
• Information Technology
• Capital
• Declining Enrolment
• Special Education
• Student Transportation
• Targeted Funding and Flexibility
• School Safety
• Regulatory Standards

Labour Relations
The Board discussed a confidential report on planning related to collective bargaining which is anticipated to be a focus of activity early in 2008.

Full-day Early Learning Programs for Kindergarten-age Students
A Notice of Motion from Thames Valley DSB related to programs for kindergarten students was discussed in the context of the recent announcement by the Premier of Ontario of the appointment of Dr. Charles Pascal as the Early Learning Advisor to the government on its “plan for full-day learning for four- and five-year olds.” The discussion highlighted a range of issues from member boards around the capital implications of program expansion, including the impact on current accommodation reviews, building of new schools and the various degrees of readiness of boards to accommodate full-time early learning programs. Other aspects of the discussion focussed on the possible range of delivery models and the need for boards to be directly involved in examination and resolution of the issues at the planning stage.  The decisions made by the Board of Directors included support for full-time early learning programs in schools and advocacy for early involvement by OPSBA representatives in the development of recommendations on the funding and implementation of these programs.

Lead in Water Mandatory Flushing Procedures (Regulation under the Safe Drinking Water Act)
The Board discussed the impact this new regulation has had on the operations of member school boards and on routines in schools since it came into effect in June 2007. The Ontario Association of School Business Officials (OASBO) has written to the Ministry of Education on this matter and their communication outlines in detail implementation issues that include: staff time needed to administer the testing and flushing processes, impact on early morning sports programs, community use of schools and the environmental impact of flushing away huge volumes of water. OASBO’s rough estimate of the cost of the water flushing procedures across Ontario schools is in excess of $20 million. The Board of Directors approved a resolution to support, in a letter to the Minister, the issues articulated by OASBO.

Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities
Trustee Beth Cooper, who represents the school board sector on the Information and Communications Standards Development Committee, provided the first draft of the proposed Standard on Accessible Information and Communications with a request for feedback from member boards. (Member Boards were invited to respond to the Draft Standard directly to Beth Cooper. Contact information for Beth and questions for consideration were provided to member boards at the meeting with a request to respond as soon as possible.) Beth’s report alerted member boards to the January 2010 compliance date for the previously approved Standard on Accessible Customer Service and indicated that compliance for some aspects of the Information and Communication Standard would likely align with that date. It was emphasized that the deadlines for the various standards would not necessarily be sequential and may overlap with each other. It is likely, for example, that organizations, including school boards, will have to offer a full range of accessibility for their websites and fully accessible information related to their health and safety and emergency procedures by the first compliance date of January, 2010. 

The Board also received an update on activities at the Standards Development Committee for Built Environment. Bob Mahony, Plant Operations Controller, DSB of Niagara, represents the school board sector on this committee and brings strong technical expertise to the table. Bob will attend a meeting of Board of Directors early in 2008 to report on the Committee’s progress and future implications for school boards.

Safe Schools
With regard to implementation of the requirements of Bill 212, The Education Amendment Act (Progressive Discipline and School Safety) which comes into effect on February 1, 2008, OPSBA is currently finalizing with the Ministry plans to deliver a full-day Pre-Symposium professional development event for trustees in conjunction with OPSBA’s Public Education Symposium. This will be offered on January 24, 2008 and will feature interactive panels and workshops with a range of experts in the field of student safety.

The sessions will focus particularly on trustees and their responsibilities, allowing them to develop strategies to meet the expectations of the Act, Regulations and PPMs. There will be a focus on conducting hearings. Issues of board policy/procedures; options for programs for long term suspensions and expulsions, looking at the provision of academic and non-academic components; as well as hearings and appeals will be addressed. Workshops will include mock hearings and appeals and the focus will be on understanding and fair process.

See Pre-Symposium: Safe Schools - Bill 212

Speech from the Throne
The Board received a report on highlights from the Speech from the Throne delivered by Lieutenant Governor David Onley at the opening the First Session of the 39th Parliament of Ontario.

A copy of the full speech was circulated to member boards. It was noted that the purpose of a Throne Speech is to outline a government’s agenda for the next parliamentary session. The speech refers first to the government’s commitments in education and training. The education issues identified as priorities were: 

• full-day learning for 4 and 5 year olds
• reducing barriers for at-risk students
• expanded homework help
• continued work to improve graduation rates
• various commitments relating to post-secondary education

In other areas of the Throne Speech are additional items that of interest to school boards, in particular,

• a commitment to “fully implement” the Ontario Child Benefit, to a total of $1,100 per child
• a new cabinet committee to develop poverty indicators and develop a focused strategy to reduce child poverty
• a ban on trans-fats in school cafeterias
• the creation of an Ontario Fitness Challenge to fight childhood obesity

It was noted that the Throne Speech indicates an intent on the part of the government to forge a stronger, more positive relationship with Ontario’s First Nations.

OPSBA on Good Governance
A draft of the document “OPSBA on Good Governance” was distributed to Board members. This was developed by the Policy Development Work Team over the course of five meetings and is intended to serve as a Resource Guide for school boards in matters of governance. School Boards are encouraged to provide feedback on the document which will be presented to the Board of Directors for endorsement at its February meeting. Feedback comments can be directed to Cynthia Andrew, Legislative and Policy Analyst.

Regional Meetings
Reports were received on productive and successful meetings that were held over the last several weeks in each of OPSBA’s regions: Northern, Western, Eastern, Central West and Central East. These offered a range of opportunities for trustees to share successful practices and local school board challenges. A recommendation came forward from the Central-West region that calls for the development of an effective web-based format for the dissemination of OPSBA meeting materials.

First Nations Report
First Nations trustees have had one formal and one informal meeting in the last month. Concerns about more effective involvement of First Nations trustees in implementation of the Ministry’s Framework for First Nations, Métis and Inuit education will be discussed with Ministry staff in December. The ongoing concern of federal/provincial per student funding gaps is also likely to be a topic of discussion. The Circle of Light Conference on First Nations, Métis and Inuit education held in Toronto November 26-28, 2007 was very successful and featured many positive and effective programs and initiatives in both Ontario and First Nations schools. Inspirational contributions to the conference were made by a number of First Nations and Métis youth. It was agreed that there needs to be increased opportunity for input by First Nations trustees into various decision-making processes at OPSBA.

Critical Literacy in the Media
It was reported that the Violence in the Media Coalition made a presentation to the Falconer panel on School Safety that was set up in response to the shooting death of student Jordan Manners at CW Jefferys school in Toronto last May. Rhonda Kimberley-Young of OTF, Dr. Peter Jaffe of Thames Valley DSB, John Muise, of the Canadian Centre for Abuse Awareness and Jeff Sprang of OPSBA represented the Coalition. The report on the work of the Critical Literacy in the Media Committee included updates on the educational resource materials which will be ready for distribution to schools early in 2008 and on the pilot of a Violence in the Media power point presentation for parents. An official launch of the educational resources will take place in Toronto on May 12, 2008. This will be a significant professional development event involving hundreds of teachers and other educators from across Ontario. The keynote speaker will be Colonel David Grossman, Professor of Military Science at West Point and an international expert on the effects of violent video games.

Other highlights from the meetings of Executive Council and Board of Directors included updates on:

• Student Success – Fall start-up of the Working Table
• EQAO and international test scores
• Reports from Education Program and Policy Development Work Teams
• Ontario Education for Sustainable Development

The next meeting of the OPSBA Board of Directors will be held on February 29 to March 1, 2008 at the Metropolitan Hotel, Toronto.

See
OPSBA News Release, December 3, 2007
Pre-Symposium: Safe Schools - Bill 212

For more information: Florenda Tingle, Executive Coordinator, ext.108

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Public Education Symposium 2008

Mark your calendar now for the Public Education Symposium
OPSBA in partnership with ACÉPO

January 24 - 26, 2008
Sheraton Centre Hotel, Toronto

Hand in Hand: Successful Students, Safe Schools

On-line registration now available

PRE-SYMPOSIUM: SAFE SCHOOLS – BILL 212

Thursday, January 24   :   8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

The passage of Bill 212 into the Safe Schools and Progressive Discipline Act 2007, with a requirement for full implementation no later than February 1, 2008, has many implications for members of district school boards and school authorities. There are requirements for policies and procedures in anti-bullying, progressive discipline, programs for suspended students and programs for expelled students. In addition there are requirements which require the attendance of a panel of trustees at hearings for expulsion and appeals of suspension and expulsions.

These sessions will focus particularly on trustees and their responsibilities, allowing them to understand clearly their responsibilities and to develop strategies to meet the expectations of the Act, Regulations and PPMs. There will be a focus on the conducting of hearings and the variety of ways this currently is happening.  Issues of board policy/procedures, options for programs for long term suspensions and expulsions looking at the provision of academic and non-academic components, and the organization and conduction of hearings and appeals will be addressed.

Workshops will include mock hearings and appeals and the focus will be on understanding and fair process.

SPEAKERS

Workshop Sessions:

• Succession Planning for Leaders
• Building Confidence in Public Education (Board’s Advocacy Plan)
• The Impact of Media Violence on Child and Adolescent
• Development: A Critical Role for Parent and Educator Intervention
• Shaping Our Schools / Shaping Our Future (Environmental Education)
• Aboriginal Education Issues
• Urban / Rural Board Caucus Sessions

All trustees, directors of education, supervisory officers and other board members are encouraged to attend this annual OPSBA/ACÉPO event.

The Conference Program and Registration Form are available online.

For more information: Ernesta Graham, Events Coordinator, ext.115; or Susan Weinberg, Policy & Professional Development Coordinator, ext.128

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Ministry of Education UPDATE

Premier's Awards for Teaching Excellence

Nominations for the Premier's Awards for Teaching Excellence are open. The nomination deadline is January 28 so don't miss this opportunity to recognize and celebrate the exceptional work of principals, teachers, and education support staff. Nominate an outstanding educator today. There are six different categories: Teacher of the Year; New Teacher of the Year; Excellent Support Staff; Excellence in Leadership; Lifetime Achievement; Team of the Year.

See
Premier's Awards for Teaching Excellence
Nomination Form

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In the LEGISLATURE

Regulation on Accessibility Standards for Customer Service

The Regulation on Accessibility Standards for Customer Service takes effect in January, 2008 and broad public sector organizations including school boards are expected to comply with this regulation by January, 2010.

Compliance Requirements
The Standards will require all organizations to do the following:

• Establish policies, practices and procedures governing the provision of goods or services to people with disabilities, including a policy about the use of assistive devices by people with disabilities to access goods or services.
• Use reasonable efforts to ensure that their policies, practices and procedures are consistent with the core principles of independence and dignity, integration and equality of opportunity to obtain, use and benefit from goods or services.
• When communicating with a person with disabilities, do so in a manner that takes into account his or her disability.
• Train staff, volunteers, contractors and any other person who interacts with the public on behalf of the provider or who develops policies on the provision of goods or services in an accessible way.
• Permit people with disabilities who have service animals access to and use of the animals while accessing goods or services in premises routinely open to the public unless the animal is excluded from the premises under another law.
• Permit people with disabilities who have support persons access to and use of these support persons while accessing goods or services in premises open to the public and, where admission fees are charged, provide advance notice concerning what admission, if any, would be charged with respect to a support person.
• Provide notice when accessibility to goods or services is temporarily disrupted for people with disabilities, including what alternative arrangements or facilities are available.
• Establish a process for people to provide feedback respecting the provision of goods or services to people with disabilities and for the organization to take action on complaints.

In addition, all public sector organizations – including school boards – and other providers of goods or services with 20 or more employees, have to do the following:

• Document in writing their accessible customer service policies, practices and procedures.
• Notify customers that documents required under the customer service standard are available upon request.
• When providing documents required under the customer service standard to persons with a disability, provide the documents or the information in the document in a format that takes into account the needs resulting from the person’s disability.

Assistance from the Accessibility Directorate of Ontario
The Accessibility Directorate of Ontario is currently developing an Interpretive Guidelines document and a Compliance Workbook to assist organizations in their preparations to comply with the new Regulation.  It is further expected that training templates will be developed. The Interpretive Guidelines will explain the meaning of the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service Regulation and how it applies to different organizations.  The Compliance Assistance Workbook for this standard will further explain the standard and provide checklists and resources to help organization comply with the standard. 

See Ontario Regulation 429/07, Accessibility for Ontarians With Disabilities Act, 2005For the full text of the Regulation on Accessibility Standards for Customer Service, see
http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/source/regs/english/2007/
elaws_src_regs_r07429_e.htm

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Across CANADA

CSBA Makes Presentation to Federal Budget Committee

On November 29, Canadian School Boards Association (CSBA) Vice President Rick Johnson presented the CSBA 2008 Budget Submission to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance. The CSBA submission makes three key recommendations:

• Eliminate the clawback on education and fully exempt school boards from the GST.
• Establish a Green Tax Policy to support school board green capital and operational investments.
• Establish a tax incentive for aboriginal students to graduate from secondary and post-secondary institutions.

See CSBA Submission

For more information: Gail Anderson, Executive Director, ext.109

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Recent Elections Held at School Board Associations Across Canada

Alberta
At the Alberta School Boards Association’s (ASBA’s) fall meeting in Edmonton, Heather Welwood, former ASBA Vice President and Chair of the Northern Lights School Division, was elected President and Jacquie Hansen, Vice Chair of the Greater St. Albert Catholic School Board was elected Vice President.

Saskatchewan
At the elections of the Saskatchewan School Boards Association, Roy Challis was re-elected President and Sandi Urban Hall was elected Vice-President.

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PIRLS Reveals Ontario Grade 4’s at Top of Class

On November 28, the EQAO released the Ontario results for the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) assessment, which is a worldwide reading literacy assessment undertaken every five years by the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA). Ontario and four other Canadian provinces took part in the Study, which is conducted in Grade 4 classrooms. 

Ontario’s students ranked among the top in the world, with only Russia and Hong Kong performing in a higher range. When compared to the 2001 results, Ontario students sustained a high level of overall performance and narrowed the gender achievement gap.

See
PIRLS 2006 Ontario Report
PIRLS 2006 International Report

Rural Education Congress 2008 – Call for Papers

The Saskatchewan Educational Leadership Unit (SELU) of the University of Saskatchewan will be holding its 2008 National Congress on Rural Education from March 30 to April 1 at TCU Place (formerly the Centennial Auditorium) in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. “Honouring Youth: Celebrating Student Success” is the theme for the 2008 event. The Organizing Committee is now accepting proposals for presentations at the Congress.

See
Rural Education Congress 2008
Call for Papers/Presentations

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CSBA Info-Picks, November 1

BCSTA e-Digest, November 29, 2007

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Calendar of EVENTS