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Ontario Students Will Benefit From Investments In New Resources Including
Musical Instruments And Art Supplies
TORONTO, Jan. 18 /CNW/ - Students in Grades 1 through 12 will benefit
from new arts education resources and professional development for teachers,
thanks to nearly $5 million in provincial funding, Education Minister Kathleen
Wynne announced today.
"Arts education is critical to our kids' intellectual, physical and
emotional growth," said Wynne. "By studying dance, drama, media arts, music
and visual arts, students learn to think more creatively and critically, and
further develop the ability to work with others."
Public school boards across Ontario will receive more than $4 million to
buy musical instruments, art supplies and other resources to support dance,
drama, music and media arts in elementary and high schools. In addition, arts
education associations and community organizations will share almost $800,000
to develop resources and host artists, performances and workshops in schools.
The outcomes of arts education - creativity, imagination, innovation and
originality - are among the most important resources for economic prosperity
in the 21st century. Ontario's entertainment and creative industries
contribute nearly $9.9 billion to the provincial economy and generate
approximately 185,000 jobs. Over the next two decades, job growth in this
sector is expected to surpass most of Ontario's other thriving employment
sectors.
The investment is part of the McGuinty government's commitment to
improving Ontario's public education system. Students are already benefitting
from government initiatives intended to help more students succeed, including:
<<
- Providing a more well-rounded education, with funding to hire 1,600
elementary specialist teachers in areas such as music, the arts, as
well as phys-ed
- Providing every school in the province with more textbooks, learning
resources and library books with funding of $535 million
- Funding to hire 3,600 teachers to reduce the number of students in JK
to Grade 3 classes to a maximum of 20 students in 90 per cent of
classes
- Transforming the Ontario high school experience with six innovative
programs to keep kids learning until age 18, including Grade 8-9
transition teams, expanded co-op education and specialist high skills
majors that allow students to focus on the career path that matches
their unique skills and interests
- Introducing character building initiatives in schools to inspire
students to become caring and contributing citizens.
"Reaching every student and helping them achieve their full potential
means providing them with a well-rounded education," said Wynne. "Ontario has
a terrific arts education curriculum and we want to support schools in
delivering that program."
Disponible en français
www.edu.gov.on.ca
www.ontario.ca/progress
Backgrounder
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TEACHING THE ARTS IN ONTARIO
>>
The McGuinty government has invested nearly $30 million in arts education
across the province, including almost $5 million announced today for new
resources.
Arts education contributes to student success across the curriculum,
supports higher academic achievement, and improves student motivation and
attendance. It enhances student engagement, fosters tolerance and respect for
diversity, and builds self-confidence. Arts education has been shown to be a
particular benefit to at-risk youth and hard to reach learners.
At the secondary school level, students must earn one arts credit and may
add a second one toward their compulsory credit requirements.
In addition, through the Specialist High Skills Major announced in
December, students will now be able to complete a minimum bundle of courses in
specific high skills areas, such as the arts.
The government has provided funding for school boards to hire an
additional 1,300 teachers to support high school students, as well as funding
to hire 1,600 elementary specialist teachers in areas such as music, the arts,
as well as phys-ed.
Students at the elementary level receive a strong foundation in music,
visual arts, drama and dance to ensure they acquire essential knowledge and
skills. Teachers are also encouraged to integrate arts education with other
subjects in the curriculum such as math, reading and social sciences.
The outcomes of arts education - creativity, imagination, innovation, and
originality - are among the most important resources for economic prosperity
in the 21st century.
$5 Million Investment In Arts Curriculum Resources And Training
To support the Grade 1-12 arts curriculum, public school boards across
Ontario will receive more than $4 million to buy musical instruments and other
supplies and resources, and provide professional development opportunities for
teachers.
As well, 11 arts education organizations will share $775,000 to develop
resources and host artists, performances and workshops in schools. They are:
<<
- Council of Drama and Dance in Education
- Ontario Music Educators' Association
- Ontario Society of Education Through Art
- Association francophone pour l'éducation artistique en Ontario
- Arts Smarts Ontario
- Mariposa in the Schools
- Prologue for the Performing Arts
- MASC (Multicultural Arts for Schools and Communities)
- Théâtre Action
- Echo d'un people
- Réseau Ontario
Disponible en français
www.edu.gov.on.ca
www.ontario.ca/progress
>>
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For further information: Michelle Despault, Minister's Office, (416) 212-3747; Patricia MacNeil, Communications Branch, (416) 325-2676; Public Inquiries: (416) 325-2929 or 1-800-387-5514, TTY: 1-800-263-2892
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