Education Minister Stephen Lecce announced new student supports and an updated curriculum for the 2023-24 school year as well as the hiring of 2,000 more educators.
“Our government is delivering on our commitment to continue to raise the bar by boosting student success in the classroom with a focus on reading, writing, math, STEM disciplines, and learning about mental health literacy,” Lecce states. “Our students deserve a stable and enjoyable school year with the full school experience of extracurriculars, clubs and more that build real life and job skills that go beyond the classroom.”
Beginning this September, all publicly funded school boards will be required to adopt provincial student achievement priorities and metrics to help students improve EQAO scores in reading, writing and math; raise graduation rates, encourage more students to participate in job skills programs and take senior math and science courses; and
improve student engagement and awareness of mental health supports.
To further support students facing challenges with math, the province launched the Math Action Achievement Plan. This includes one lead per school board with the focus of helping improve math outcomes for students. These leads will be responsible for curriculum implementation and standardized training and lead board-wide actions to meet targets. The Education Ministry says more than 300 math coaches will provide direct support in classrooms. New Math Action Teams will work directly with school boards to identify and recommend targeted strategies to improve student achievement.
The province also committed more than $100 million to hire over 940 educators to support students from Grades 7 to 10 transition to high school. It also intends to fund $1 million per year for two years beginning in 2024 for the Ontario Science Centre to create hands-on learning experiences and virtual lesson plans for students, as well as STEM teaching materials for educators, according to the Ministry statement.
For the 2023-24 school year, Lecce also announced a number of curriculum changes including:
- Language Curriculum: Last updated in 2006/2007, the revised Language and Français Grade 1 to 9 curriculums include foundational instruction to support reading and writing, critical thinking, and digital media literacy skills.
- Educator Resources: The government has provided $825,000 to Dyslexia Canada to develop, in partnership with International Dyslexia Association – Ontario, evidence-based systematic and explicit instruction resources and learning supports that are now ready for use.
- Reading Screener and Supports: The province’s $109 million 2023-24 investment includes the largest screening program in Canada, funded with $12.5 million annually to support students from Year 2 of Kindergarten to Grade 2 to be screened for early reading. Up to 700 literacy educators will work to support students who are behind in reading development.
- Grade 10 Digital Technology and Innovations in the Changing World: This course will equip students to be innovative leaders by teaching them how to apply coding concepts and skills, build hands-on projects, and investigate artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and other emerging digital technologies.
- Financial Literacy Modules: Secondary students will learn how to create a budget, manage their money, protect themselves from financial scams, and plan for long-term purchases such as buying a house or car with new modules.
- Mental Health Modules: The Ontario government has partnered with School Mental Health Ontario in collaboration with the Hospital for Sick Children to develop Mental Health Literacy Modules, for teacher use in Grades 7 and 8.
These measures are expected to improve transparency for parents and ensure Ontario’s public education system continues to focus on improving student outcomes by providing them with the skills and tools they need to succeed, particularly in key areas like reading, writing and math.
