News

MAKING STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT OUR TOP PRIORITY

May 7, 2009

For Immediate Release
May 7, 2009

NEWS

The McGuinty government is proposing amendments to the Education Act that would make student achievement the number one priority for all school boards.

The Education Act, as it now reads, outlines a long list of requirements and responsibilities — everything from putting up fences to buying milk. However, the most important goal for Ontario parents — improving student achievement — is never mentioned.

The proposed Student Achievement and School Board Governance Act would clarify what is expected from school boards, trustees, board chairs and directors of education. It would also promote sound financial management by establishing audit committees and creating a provincial code of conduct for trustees.

The legislation addresses many of the recommendations made by the Governance Review Committee in its recently released report.

QUOTES

“We need our students at their very best, and we need every school board focused on the same priorities.”
- Dalton McGuinty, Premier of Ontario

“Trustees are vital partners in boosting student achievement and these changes make it clear that we’re counting on them to make a difference.”
- Kathleen Wynne, Minister of Education

QUICK FACTS

• Across Ontario, 65 per cent of Grade 3 and Grade 6 students are achieving at or above the provincial standard in reading, writing and math skills — up 11 percentage points since 2003. The government’s goal is to have 75 per cent of students at or above the provincial standard.
• The province is committed to achieving an 85 per cent graduation rate by 2010-11. Last year, 77 per cent of Ontario students graduated with a high school diploma. This represents an increase of nine percentage points compared to 2003-04.
• Since 2003-04, increases in the graduation rate have meant that 36,000 more students earned a high school diploma. 
  

LEARN MORE

See test results for schools in your area.

Find out more about the Student Achievement and School Board Governance Act.