“Dollars and Cents Behind Reforms, not Education”
TORONTO – We received a letter from one of our readers, regarding the Ontario government’s proposed Schoolboards reform. We publish it below.
Minister Calandra sounds like Donald Trump this week making “sweeping” reforms to the Ontario Education System. Why? To distract public attention from the Ontario Government’s purchase of a plane with taxpayer dollars for private use? Or is it to distract from their mission to seize control over school properties and related valuable real estate for the benefit of the government bottom line? It is not to help teachers or students; that is certain.
Making attendance worth 15% of the final mark and making exams is an issue the Ministry negotiated with Unions behind closed doors. Attendance counts for audits. Those audits trigger cash flow. No kids in seats equals no public money.
The current student success documents put pressure on teachers to make every effort to allow the student to achieve the course credit they registered to receive. In grades 9 and 10, students are enrolled in 14-16 compulsory courses for the achievement of a Diploma (OSSD) – 30 credits. How to acquire these credits? “Success” breeds attendance = guarantees funds for schools.
Here is how it “works”: students who do not attend or submit “work” are guaranteed a grade of 25% on the first reporting cycle. The reporting software will not allow a lower grade. If the final reporting cycle (at the end of the semester or school year) still says 25%, the student needs to repeat the course. If they manage to get 35% (submit one assignment with your name on it), then the student can “upgrade” that course to a passing grade. How can this be avoided? Especially if that student is achieving 35% in most courses? Just add 15% for attendance. That student attends every day, contributes one assignment and voila’ they get the credit. Has that student learned anything?
Mandatory 15% attendance has nothing to do with actual education, student success, differentiated learning, inclusions and student support. Many students miss school for illnesses, bullying – that begins with the actual teachers, competitions, part-time work to support their parents, doctor and dentist appointments (because those higher paid professionals only work school hours too) and, for those fortunate enough, travel with parents.
It is time the government, regardless of party, tried to support students and teachers in the public system. Showing your private school right-wing electorate that you can flex your muscles in an education system they do not use fools nobody.
