RESSOURCES

OVERVIEW

The Minister of Education sets policy for student assessment, which is then carried out by the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO), an arms-length agency providing parents, teachers and the public accurate and reliable information about student achievement The Fourth Quarter Investments included in the 2008 Budget reflect the priorities of the government’s five-point economic plan to invest in skills and knowledge, enhance Ontario’s competitiveness, strengthen the environment for innovation, invest in infrastructure and form key partnerships to strengthen Ontario’s industries.The ministry’s plan to promote a strong, vibrant, publicly funded education system is focused on three goals: high levels of student achievement; reduced gaps in student achievement; high levels of public confidence in public education.For detailed information on schools and school boards; education funding; number of teachers, administrators and enrolment.

HOW IT WORKS

Our goal is to have 75% of 12-year-olds achieving at the provincial standard (level 3) in reading, writing and math. To achieve this, we are expanding and deepening the implementation of literacy and numeracy practices in all schools and school boards. We will continue innovation in secondary schools to increase the graduation rate.

Some initiatives:

• improve literacy and numeracy for students in grades 4 to 8
• engage students through new teaching strategies, hands-on learning, use of technology and smaller class sizes
• implement innovative programs and instruction methods and expand course choices through our Student Success strategy
• enhance the way education is delivered to students by expanding e-learning opportunities, creating more online resources, increasing opportunities for experiential learning and supporting specialized schools

Our efforts are paying off. In 2002-03, just 54 per cent of Grade 3 and 6 students were achieving at or above the provincial standard. Today, 67 per cent those students are achieving at or above that standard. This represents a 13 percentage point increase since 2003.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) sets out the roadmap to make Ontario accessible by 2025. Under this act, accessibility standards are being developed and implemented to break down barriers in key areas of everyday life.

These standards will increase accessibility for people with disabilities in the areas of customer service, information and communications, employment, transportation and the built environment.

The government of Ontario is preparing to lead the way towards an accessible province. In 2010 the government of Ontario was the first public service organization to report compliance with the first standard — Accessibility Standards for Customer Service Regulation (Ontario Regulation 429/07).

As we await additional standards under AODA, we are guided by the Ontario Human Rights Code and obligations set out in the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001 (ODA).

Each year, the government sets the course to prevent, identify and remove barriers through annual accessibility plans required under the ODA.

Highlights from the Ministry of Education’s 2010 plan include:

In August, the Ministry of Education released the Caring and Safe Schools K-12 resource document for superintendents, principals and vice-principals. The document provides strategies and resources to support school and system leaders in building a caring and safe culture for all students including students with special education needs.