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OSSTF District 11- Thames Valley
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District 11 Office |
District 11-Thames Valley Newsletter
November 30, 2006
Table of ContentsClick on any of the titles below to go directly to that article. |
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Best Wishes for the
Holiday Season!
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Guiding Principles for "Learning to 18" Initiatives
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Best Wishes for the Holiday Season!
As the
holidays fast approach, it is important that we take the time to enjoy the
season. Holidays are a time when one’s thoughts often turn to family and
loved ones. Holidays are also a time when one can reflect on the past and
can plan and look forward to the future. All of us here at the District 11 -
Thames Valley Office want to wish each of you the best for the holiday
season and for the upcoming new year.
When we reflect on the recent
past we can do nothing else but thank you for your support and
activism on Bill 52- The Learning to 18 Act. Everyone wants our
students to be successful; however, you realized the potential
damage that would be caused to publicly funded education and you
pushed back, lobbied, and educated our provincial government. You
and other members had the foresight to make countless phone calls,
write letters, and attend meetings with our MPPs. Your actions, and
the lobbying efforts of our colleagues across the province, have
resulted in extensive amendments to the most problematic sections of
Bill 52.
| Original Bill Bill 52 | Amended Bill 52 |
| *requires students to stay in school until 18 | *requires students to stay in school until 18 |
| *definition of equivalent learning would have required programs to be offered by external providers including colleges, universities, community groups, and employers | *definition of equivalent learning has no requirement for external providers |
| *boards required to enable pupils to participate in equivalent learning | *boards required to offer equivalent learning in accordance with Ministry standards |
| *no control over who grants credits | *only the Principal of publicly-funded schools may grant credits |
| *undefined standards for the program | *learning must no be “of lesser quality than those provided in the traditional education system” |
| *enforcement through Highway Traffic Act and withholding or suspension of driver’s license | *all amendments to the Highway Traffic Act were deleted |
| *would have been proclaimed and implemented immediately upon Royal Assent | *proclamation of equivalent learning sections is delayed indefinitely |
However, it is still necessary
to ensure that OSSTF is involved in policy, regulations and program
development following the passage of the Bill in order to maintain
protection for all members. The government still intends to
implement equivalent learning and non-traditional programs as part
of “Learning to 18". OSSTF will continue to hold the government
accountable.
THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR EFFORTS ON BILL 52 -
(LEARNING TO 18 ACT)!
OSSTF Provincial Executive has developed Guiding Principles for “Learning to 18" Initiatives which have been passed by our Provincial Council.
In order to achieve our common goal of having all students succeed in secondary schools until graduation at age 18, all Student Success and Learning to 18 programs should comply with the following basic principles:
1. The focus must be students who are at risk of not achieving an Ontario Secondary School Diploma by age 18.
2. Students must be fully-funded (i.e. timetabled on day school registers as part of the ADE and subject to all available grants).
3. Programs must have standards of the highest quality. This means:
- all courses must be taught or supervised by teachers as part of their regular assignment under the secondary teachers’ collective agreement
- each credit must meet the requirements of section 6 of Ontario Secondary Schools, Grade 9-12: Program and Diploma Requirements, 1999 (i.e. course is at least 110 hours, has a defined course of study and complies with Ministry assessment and evaluation policies)
- all students in these programs must have access to Special Education
supports and other services provided by the school board pursuant to
section 7.11 and 7.12 of Ontario Secondary Schools, Grade 9-12: Program
and Diploma Requirements, 1999.
The Joint Committee on Supplemental Student Services has sent out its surveys to all Principals within the TVDSB.. It is hoped that a clearer picture of the number of outsourcing services that are occurring in our schools is given. A draft report is being written by the PSSP Executive to address the issues of outsourcing that we hope will become an integral part of Board Policies and Procedures.
PSSP is also recommending some changes to the Performance Appraisal Protocol in order that the process remains fair and proceeds in a timely manner.