Changes are coming to Ontario’s education curriculum through legislation set to be introduced by Ontario Education Minister Stephen Lecce at Queen’s Park today.
The Ford Government says it will be investing more that $180 million in targeted classroom supports,with the overall intent is to ensure consistency and focus time in the classroom on building life, job and critical thinking skills.
“We are getting back to the basics, because that’s what matters most when it comes to students’ skills with reading, writing and math,”said Lecce in a release.
“This plan will up our game and send a signal across the province: we will do better to improve the skills that actually matter to the success of your child, from the classroom to the workforce. Ontario’s plan will help ensure students graduate with a competitive advantage that will lead them to a good-paying job, a home and a life of opportunity.”
On the math front the provinces plan includes:
- Support more than 300 educators to support student learning in math
- Double the number of school math coaches in classrooms to provide direct support to teachers and students
- Introduce one math lead per board to spearhead math curriculum implementation and standardize training, and provide additional supports for math coaches in the classrooms
- Expand access to digital math tools that students and parents can access anytime
- Continue live teacher-led virtual tutoring services focused on math
- Enhance skills of new teachers through dedicated training and covering costs of additional math qualification courses to enhance math fluency and competency.
Math Action Teams are also being deployed to school boards or schools to raise standards, training and student outcomes.
On the reading front, the province has a specific dollar figure in mind $109 million for 2023-2024 to boost literacy rates.
- Introduce new, Canada-leading, early reading screening requirements for all students in Year 2 of Kindergarten to Grade 2, along with a standardized and fully funded screening tool and training for educators, to ensure students receive the necessary foundational skills and early interventions in reading that are critical to future success
- Fund additional specialist teachers who can work one-on-one or in small groups to help students who need additional support in reading
- Invest in almost 700 educators to support development and excellence in literacy for Ontario students
- Introduce an overhauled language curriculum in September of 2023 with an emphasis on ensuring students at an early age can master basic literacy.
The government says the new initiatives will complement previous actions implemented in recent years.
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