We have recieved the response to our petition. Make of it what you wish. We are still circulating it in order to send a stronger message to the government.
Response:
Funding - New Curriculum and Textbooks
This government is committed to providing students and teachers with the support and direction needed to learn and implement the new elementary and secondary curriculum.
A partnership of key education stakeholders was established to ensure ongoing, coordinated support for curriculum policy and implementation at both the elementary and secondary levels.
We have committed $370M over five years (1998-2003) to give teachers and students the support they need to implement the new curriculum. This is in addition to funding provided in the student-focused funding formula. In 2001-02 we have also provided an additional $200 million for boards to meet local priorities.
In March 1999, the government announced a $150M provincial investment to ensure that teachers and students receive the help they need as the new curriculum is implemented. The money is being used to buy new textbooks, deliver teacher training, develop professional resources and provide extra support for students. Teacher supports include: course profiles at the secondary level - developed through partnerships with CODE (Council of Directors of Education ), ICE (Institute for Catholic Education), the Consortium of French Language District School Boards and l'Office provincial de l'Education de la foi Catholique de l'Ontario (OPECO); sample units of study for grades 1 - 8; French language teacher training modules for grades 1-8; and exemplars to assist teachers with evaluation according to the curriculum expectations.
The government has provided extra support for students with regards to the new curriculum. In 2000-01, we provided $25 million in funding for remedial programs for students in Grades 7-10 for extra help to meet the new higher standards in Language and Math.
To support the continued implementation of the new curriculum, an additional $120M was allocated for Grades 11 and 12 in June 2000.
On an annual basis, the Foundation Grant provides $100 per secondary student (totalling $67M) and $75 per elementary student (totalling $98M) for textbooks and learning materials. The Foundation Grant also provides $173 per secondary (totalling $116M) and $77 per elementary student (totalling $100M) for classroom supplies. In addition there is approximately $85M contained in Special Purpose Grants for textbooks and other learning materials as well as classroom supplies.
At the end of the four-year implementation (1999-2003), we will have provided $70M for teacher training for the new elementary and secondary school program. Over the same period, the government is providing at least $80M for professional resources for teachers.
Hiring of More Teachers Not Addressed
The government is acting to ensure that we can fill the volume of new teaching opportunities in the province. Between 1999 and 2004, we will have invested $45 million to create at least 6,000 new student teacher spaces at Ontario's facilities of education.
Teacher-Advisor Program
To support students in making important decisions about their education and long-term goals, we have introduced the Teacher-Adviser Program for all students in Grades 7-12. To help boards implement the teacher-adviser program, the government has provided $64 million for the hiring of additional teachers in 2000/01. Meetings of students and teacher-advisers foster a sense of community, collaboration, and cooperation among students and staff. They provide each student with personal attention and positive encouragement - from both a teacher and peers - and help students make connections among the subjects taught in school and the learning that takes place in the community.
Double Cohort
In 2003, the first set of graduates of the new four-year program will leave high school at the same time as the last set of graduates of the old five-year program. This "double cohort" of Ontario high school graduates will contribute to a rise in full-time enrolment between the years 2003 and 2005. In the 2001 Budget this government committed to increasing our support for colleges and universities by a projected $293 million by 2003-04.
Instruction Time
The Education Accountability Act, 2000 restates instruction time in terms of course loads. The Stability and Excellence in Education Act, 2001 will broaden the definition of instructional time and provide greater access to remedial help by expanding what is included in the definition of instructional time as well as to give school boards greater flexibility to recognize co-instructional activities when assigning teachers' workloads.
Hon. Janet Ecker
Dear visitor,
We appreciate you visiting our site, and want to thank you for taking the time to investigate our cause. We must ask you for one more favour. Please, download the petition. Have as many people sign it as you can, and mail it back to us! Please e-mail us first though. Don't forget to include a return address, so it doesn't get lost in the mail. Before you download a petition, join the mailing list now, so you may kept informed, and so we can communicate with you! Also, please tell ANYONE you can, and advise them to go to the site.
We are having difficulty spreading the word to all the regions of Ontario, and need as much help as we can get. So please, call any relatives in Ontario, and tell them to check the site. Remember, we are looking for as many signatures as possible.
It doesn't matter whether people who sign the petition are in school or not.
Thank you for your time.
Aimee MacKinnon
