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Investments To Reduce Dropout Rate, Create New Opportunities For All
Students
TORONTO, May 17 /CNW/ - The McGuinty government will reduce the dropout
rate and create new opportunities for all students with a $158 million
secondary school investment, Education Minister Gerard Kennedy said today as
he announced the first details of the $820 million 2005-06 increase to
publicly funded education.
"We have undertaken a concentrated program to transform our high schools
so they are equipped to unlock the potential of every student," said Kennedy.
"We will dramatically reduce Ontario's unacceptably high dropout rate and
give all high school students the ability to succeed in their destination of
choice - whether that means a work placement with training, apprenticeship,
college or university."
The McGuinty government has increased its investment in education to over
$17 billion since coming to office. Of the $820 million boost for education in
this year's overall budget, $158 million will be allocated to the Student
Success Program. Last year, $100 million was invested in initiatives to help
more high school students graduate and lower dropout rates. An estimated
30 per cent of high school students are at risk of not graduating.
The government will continue to invest in programs to keep students
learning, at least to age 18. The comprehensive plan to fundamentally shift
the role of high schools includes:
- $89 million for 1,300 new high school teachers, contingent on
successful labour agreements. At least 800 teachers dedicated to the
student success program,
- At least one student success teacher in each school to work with
students who need extra help,
- Lowered class sizes in specific courses and more resource teachers,
such as librarians and guidance counselors that benefit all high
school students,
- $23 million in special projects to support struggling students and
students with English as a second language - more details of this
investment will be announced soon,
- $14.5 million for textbooks for secondary schools.
In addition, $31 million has been allocated in one-time funding to
support student Success, this includes:
- An additional $25 million, for a total of $45 million, for
technological education programs - New equipment, expanded programs
and increased opportunities for students,
- $6 million to purchase new resource materials for secondary school
libraries.
Over 70 per cent of parents expect that their children are headed for
university, but only 33 percent of high school students go on to university
after graduation. The Student Success Program provides experiential learning
that gives students workplace skills and experience - so every student,
including those who do not choose university, have a good outcome from their
high school education.
"From horticultural studies to culinary arts to avionics and
construction, our high schools will give students more exposure and
preparation for in-demand skilled trades and apprenticeships," said Willowdale
MPP David Zimmer who joined Kennedy at Newtonbrook Secondary School.
Other student success initiatives already underway in Ontario high
schools include:
- Student success leaders in every school board,
- Resources for principals and teachers to deliver local action plans to
meet the specific needs of students,
- Revisions to the curriculum to offer more flexibility and options, and
- Training for teachers.
An upcoming announcement will provide details about increased funding for
library resources and special projects for secondary schools.
Significantly higher test scores in reading and writing illustrate the
impact the student success initiatives are having on student achievement. The
percentage of first-time eligible English-language students taking applied
courses who passed the Grade 10 literacy test went from 49 per cent in October
2003 to 62 per cent in October 2004 - a 27 per cent increase.
Disponible en français.
www.edu.gov.on.ca
www.resultsontario.gov.on.ca
Backgrounder
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HELPING HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS SUCCEED
The McGuinty government is creating a new role for publicly funded high
schools and working to create a good outcome for every student. Success for
students is moving beyond college and university to include apprenticeships
and skilled job placements. That is why $158 million is being allocated to the
comprehensive student success program.
Over 70 per cent of parents expect that their children are headed for
university, but only 33 percent of high school students go on to university
after graduation. The Student Success Program provides experiential learning
that gives students workplace skills and experience - so every student,
including those who do not choose university, have a good outcome from their
high school education.
Redefining Success
The Student Success Program is illustrating to students and parents that
students who do not go directly to university or college can experience
success in school and be well equipped with the skills they need to enter the
workforce or an apprenticeship. Recent studies project a shortage of over one
million skilled trade workers in the next 15 years, due to retirements. While
the stakes for leaving school without a diploma are high for individual
students, they are also critical for Ontario's economy and competitive
advantage.
Smaller Class Sizes, Increased Support for Struggling Students
A new provincial high school policy is investing $89 million to send
1,300 more teachers into English-language public high schools to deliver new
courses and programs. Over three years, an investment of $143 million will
provide high schools with 1,900 more teachers. Every school will have at least
one student success teacher and additional course sections with smaller class
sizes in key subjects for struggling students. All high school students will
benefit from lower class sizes and more resource teachers, such as librarians
and guidance counsellors. This investment is contingent on successful labour
agreements.
Supporting Innovative Programs
Innovative programs will continue to help increase graduation rates and
reduce dropout rates. In March 2005, $18 million was allocated to school
boards for 105 creative programs that engage students and help those who have
dropped out return to school or connect with work or apprenticeship
opportunities. The government will invest $18 million to expand successful
projects for the 2005-06 school year.
The government has expanded support for the school-college-work
initiative to $3 million to increase opportunities for secondary students to
get exposure to college early in their career planning.
One-Time Funding
Improving Technological Education Programs
Technological education programs are receiving an additional $25 million,
one-time funding for a total of $45 million. Schools will be equipped with new
equipment so that students can benefit from programs that have a real
relationship to current work needs.
Improved technological education programs will help reduce dropout rates
by providing hands-on learning environments that appeal to students who may be
disengaged from academic programs.
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Construction Technology Offering Students New Options
Newtonbrook's Construction Technology program is offered to Grade 10
students in a state-of-the-art construction technology facility funded
through the new technological education investment. For most of the
60 students enrolled in the class, it is their first experience with
technological education.
"Students will be earning credits that they would have struggled to
achieve sitting in a computer or science class. This program is giving
students new career options and alternative pathways while keeping them
in school learning.
Jim Spyropoulos, Principal of Newtonbrook Secondary School
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Library and Textbook Funding
The government has allocated $6 million in one-time funding to purchase
new resource materials for secondary school libraries. A $14.5 investment will
provide secondary schools with new textbooks.
Ongoing Initiatives to Improve Student Learning and Outcomes
The government recognizes that a one-size-fits-all approach to helping
students does not work. Curriculum changes are providing more flexibility in
meeting student needs. The programs announced today build on initiatives
already in place to help high school students succeed.
- The revised Grade 9 and 10 applied math curriculum has been updated.
It is now available online and is being delivered to schools this
month. The new curriculum will be offered to students next September,
one year earlier than planned.
- Six new locally developed compulsory credit courses are providing
greater choice for struggling students in Grade 9 and 10. The new
courses help students advance to workplace courses in Grade 11 and 12.
- Two new co-op related courses are now available to help schools
prepare students for today's workplace.
- The government will be redirecting funding for the ineffective Teacher
Advisor Program. The still worthwhile goals of the program will be
delivered in the future, in part, by individual and small-group
student mentoring and advocacy.
- Ongoing investment of $65 million for the Learning Opportunities Grant
to support for special programs for students with additional
challenges in both secondary and elementary schools.
- The government allocates $19 million to fund student success leaders
in every school board and resources for principals and teachers to
deliver local action plans to meet the specific needs of students in
communities across the province.
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"The Student Success Program is providing us with the resources to truly
make a difference for our students. Because of this funding, we have been
able to expand the choices available, no matter which pathway students
decide to pursue: apprenticeship, direct entry into the workplace, or
post-secondary education.
We have added more experiential learning, such as co-operative education,
and increased opportunities for industry-standard certification that
students can accomplish while they are still in secondary school. We are
also expanding the possibilities in technological education because these
courses present students with the opportunity to develop much-needed
skills. TERI provides critical funding to upgrade and repair outdated
equipment and address gaps in equipment available for our students to
meet curriculum expectations in safe learning environments. It allows us
to build the very kinds of programs that our students tell us they need:
programs that are real, relevant, and practical. In short, these are the
programs that help keep our students where they belong: in school and
engaged in learning."
Cathy Phillips, Student Success Leader, Toronto District School Board
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Disponible en français
www.edu.gov.on.ca
-30-
For further information: Contacts: Amanda Alvaro, Minister's Office, (416) 325-2632, (416) 509-5696 (cell); Wilma Davis, Communications Branch, (416) 325-6730; Public Inquiries: (416) 325-2929 or 1-800-387-5514; TTY: 1-800-263-2892
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