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View From Inside: Important Issues In The School System

View From Inside: Important Issues In The School System

By Dr. Leon Barrett
PRIDE Columnist

Dr Leon A BarrettIn my previous commentary I noted, that under the constitution of Canada, education is a provincial responsibility and the Education Act and Regulations of each province or territory, set out the issues governing education in that particular jurisdiction.

For residents of Ontario, I would encourage as many of them, as possible, to go to the Ontario Ministry of Education website — www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/ — from which they can download the Act and Regulations. It is a long document, so budget a fair amount of time to read through it. But it will be worth the time and effort.

Among other things, the Education Act, under Regulation 23, sets out the Requirements for Pupils. It states, for example, 1. A pupil shall: (a) be diligent in attempting to master such studies as are part of the program in which the pupil is enrolled (b) exercise self-discipline (c) accept such discipline as would be exercised by a kind, firm and judicious parent (d) attend classes punctually and regularly (e) be courteous to fellow pupils and obedient and courteous to teachers (f) be clean in person and habits (g) take such tests and examinations as are required by or under the Act or as may be directed by the Minister, and (h) show respect for school property.

The program of study is set out in the various curriculum documents for the elementary and secondary divisions of the school system. I would strongly encourage parents and others to visit the Ontario Ministry of Education website and download these curriculum documents. They outline what the students are expected to learn in each subject from Kindergarten to Grade 12.

At the elementary school level, (Grades 1 to 8), in the Ontario education system, students at each grade level are expected to be exposed to a common curriculum. This means that, for example, all Grade 1 students regardless of where they reside in the province should be exposed to the same subjects and content of each subject for that grade. So if a child moves from northern to southern Ontario he or she should not be at a disadvantage. The problem though is that there is no consistency in when a particular subject is taught and the order in which the content is taught. So students who move from one area to another could in practical terms be disadvantaged.

All public schools are expected to implement the provincial curriculum for the various subjects. Since increasingly private schools are being inspected and evaluated by the provincial Ministry of Education, they are increasingly adopting and implementing the provincial curricula.

The curriculum for Grades 1 to 8 consists of the following subjects: English Language – Reading, Writing, Oral Communication and Media Literacy; French; Mathematics; Science and Technology; History; Geography; Health Education; Physical Education; Dance; Drama; Music; and Visual Arts (Ontario Provincial Report Card). Each subject has overall and specific expectations that students are required to be able to demonstrate by the end of each grade.

In Ontario, the provincial standard of student performance is Level 3 (70%) and above. The general thinking is that students scoring at Level 2 and below in Grade 8 lack the skills necessary for the academic program at the secondary school level. A similar thinking obtains for students scoring at Level 2 on the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) scale.

In Grades 9 and 10, in Ontario, students are exposed to a common curriculum. This lays the foundation for specialization in the senior division (Grades 11 and 12). The following are the non-specialized courses students are required to do at Grades 9 and 10 in a typical secondary school:

Grade 9 Compulsory Courses

  • English
  • Mathematics
  • French
  • Science
  • Canadian Geography
  • Health and Physical Education

Two (2) Optional Courses chosen from:

  • Arts (Art, Music)
  • Technological Education
  • Family Studies (Social Science)
  • Business Studies

Grade 10 Compulsory Courses

  • English
  • Mathematics
  • Science
  • Canadian History
  • Career Studies (0.5 credit)
  • Civics (0.5 credit)

Two Optional Courses chosen from:

  • Languages (French, Spanish)
  • Arts (Art, Drama, Music)
  • Business Studies
  • Health and Physical Education
  • Technological Education
  • Family Studies (Social Science)

In the senior division, Grades 11 and 12, students are required to specialize, partly in preparation for tertiary education or the workforce. Upper secondary education, then, provides the basis for advanced learning and training opportunities and prepares some students for direct entry into the labour market.

In my next commentary I will review performance levels, high school programs, graduation requirements, and post-secondary training options.

Dr. Barrett is a retired Peel Region District Board teacher and educator.

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