Features
School-Based Child Care
By John Schofield
In April 2010, Ontario’s Ministry of Children and Youth Services handed over the responsibility for child care in the province to the Ministry of Education. The Schools-First Child Care Capital Retrofit Policy was launched in 2013, a strategy designed to help boards provide high-quality, seamless full-day child-care in schools. And, as author John Schofield discovers, each board has their own unique set of circumstances to work with as they implement this strategy.
Election Tips for Trustees
By Kim Arnott
The campaign period for this October’s municipal election opened on January 2, 2014 and a significant number of trustees will be running again. We canvassed four municipal politicians – city councillors and school board trustees – who shared pointers for trustees on how to run a successful campaign. Key dates and resources included!
To Test or Not to Test: The Debate about Standardized Tests
By Zane Schwartz
The usefulness of high stakes testing has been hotly debated by education officials. This review looks at how these standardized math and literacy tests can be used to help Ontario students at risk.
Getting Personal: Visits Spin International Magic
By Saul Chernos
Each year, Ontario plays host to any number of international visitors. Exchange programs match Ontario principals with those from other countries for a unique learning experience that can have lifelong benefits. Journalist Saul Chernos investigates how these exchanges benefit everyone involved.
The TeachAble Project:
Schools Embrace Accessibility in the Classroom
By Tamara Baluja
After the passage of the 2005 Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act in 2005, Ontario is now well on its way to becoming fully accessible for all citizens. To support accessibility requirements in education, the TeachAble Project was developed by the Ontario Education Services Corporation and OPSBA, and launched in all four school systems in Ontario in 2013. From all indications, the project is seeing great success in helping students learn a greater understanding and appreciation for others.
Digital Human Library Offers Field Trips Around the World
– From the Classroom
By Sapna Goel
In 2011, Leigh Cassell, an elementary teacher in Stratford Ontario, thought up a plan to allow her to help her grade 2 social studies students visit communities a world away. Harnessing new technologies, she created the Digital Human Library, a resource database that provides behind-the-scenes information on a close to 200 education resources. The project has garnered her accolades and national recognition.
