School Boards' Top Priority is Now Student Achievement
December 1, 2009 5:07 PM
McGuinty Government's Legislation Will Strengthen School Boards, Student Success
Student achievement is now the top priority for school boards.
Passed by the legislature last night, the government's Student Achievement and School Board Governance Act amends the Education Act. These amendments clarify what is expected from school boards, trustees, board chairs and directors of education to support improved student achievement. More clarity will allow Ontario's education partners to work more effectively together, helping more students succeed.
The amendments also promote good governance practices and sound financial management by establishing audit committees and enable boards to establish a provincial code of conduct for trustees.
The legislation addresses many of the recommendations made by the Governance Review Committee in its April 2009 report.Quick Facts
- Previously, boards did not have an explicit mandate or duty, according to the act, to improve student achievement.
- Across Ontario, 67 per cent of Grade 3 and Grade 6 students are achieving at or above the provincial standard in reading, writing and math skills - up 13 percentage points compared to 2002-03.
- Last year, 77 per cent of Ontario students graduated with a high school diploma, 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.
- ontario.ca/education-news
- School Board Governance In Ontario December 2009
Contacts
- Gary Wheeler
Communications Branch
416-325-2454
gary.s.wheeler@ontario.ca - Greg MacNeil
Minister's Office
416-325-0122
greg.macneil@ontario.ca
Ministry of Education
ontario.ca/education