Education Challenges Education Challenges in Ontarioin Ontario

Presentation to LDAOPresentation to LDAOSept 24, 2005Sept 24, 2005

Ben LevinBen LevinDeputy MinisterDeputy Minister

Why I’m HereWhy I’m Here

►Career as academic and civil servantCareer as academic and civil servant►Deputy minister in ManitobaDeputy minister in Manitoba►Canada Research Chair at OISECanada Research Chair at OISE

►Enticed back to government because Enticed back to government because of what is happening in Ontarioof what is happening in Ontario

It’s an exciting time It’s an exciting time to be in educationto be in education

Government’s AgendaGovernment’s Agenda

► Improve student outcomesImprove student outcomes►Decrease achievement gaps and Decrease achievement gaps and

inequitiesinequities► Improve public confidenceImprove public confidence

Improve Student OutcomesImprove Student Outcomes

►Broad view of outcomesBroad view of outcomes More than test scoresMore than test scores

►Elementary literacy/numeracyElementary literacy/numeracy 75% reaching standard at age 1275% reaching standard at age 12 2002 – 55%2002 – 55%

►High school graduation ratesHigh school graduation rates Currently 60% in 4 years, 70% in 5 yearsCurrently 60% in 4 years, 70% in 5 years Among the lowest in CanadaAmong the lowest in Canada

► In all areas, big equity challengesIn all areas, big equity challenges

What’s Required to do This?What’s Required to do This?

►Comprehensive strategiesComprehensive strategies►Set targets and plan to reach themSet targets and plan to reach them►Build capacity in the systemBuild capacity in the system

Strong leadershipStrong leadership

►Engage public and communityEngage public and community►Focus on equity issuesFocus on equity issues

Key ActionsKey Actions

►Literacy and Numeracy SecretariatLiteracy and Numeracy Secretariat►Student Success Leaders and teachers Student Success Leaders and teachers

in secondary schoolsin secondary schools►Primary class size maximum of 20Primary class size maximum of 20► Induction program for new teachersInduction program for new teachers►Additional teachers through labour Additional teachers through labour

frameworksframeworks

More ActionsMore Actions

►Renewal of school facilitiesRenewal of school facilities►Strengthening parent voiceStrengthening parent voice►Healthy schools policyHealthy schools policy►Safe schools policySafe schools policy►Best StartBest Start►$2 billion in additional funding so far$2 billion in additional funding so far

Special EducationSpecial Education

►Very tough policy areaVery tough policy area►Nobody does this rightNobody does this right►Conflicting viewsConflicting views

Process – identificationProcess – identification Placement – integrationPlacement – integration Role of parents and professionalsRole of parents and professionals

►Some issues are common and some Some issues are common and some are exceptionality specificare exceptionality specific

ActionsActions

►Replacing ISA 2 and 3Replacing ISA 2 and 3► Improving teacher and school capacityImproving teacher and school capacity►Focusing on outcomes for students Focusing on outcomes for students

rather than inputs/processesrather than inputs/processes►Expert panel reportExpert panel report

Further StepsFurther Steps

►Continuing to improve school capacity Continuing to improve school capacity to serve diverse learnersto serve diverse learners

►Provide more direction good practice Provide more direction good practice where evidence is availablewhere evidence is available

► Increase scrutiny of existing practice Increase scrutiny of existing practice in boardsin boards

Further Steps – 2Further Steps – 2

►More research to learn about and More research to learn about and share effective practiceshare effective practice

► Improve capacity of system to work Improve capacity of system to work with parents and manage conflictswith parents and manage conflicts

►Change funding to support focus on Change funding to support focus on outcomes for studentsoutcomes for students

Moving Forward Moving Forward

►This is an ambitious agendaThis is an ambitious agenda►Part of an even bigger and more Part of an even bigger and more

ambitious agenda on education ambitious agenda on education generallygenerally

►Asks people to do new things in new Asks people to do new things in new waysways

►Capacity building takes timeCapacity building takes time►Pressure and support will be neededPressure and support will be needed

ConclusionsConclusions

►We won’t be able to do everything at We won’t be able to do everything at onceonce

►We will make noticeable progress over We will make noticeable progress over timetime

►Your input continues to be important Your input continues to be important and valuedand valued

Thank You!Thank You!