Why I'm concerned for Ontario students
Some thoughts on my conversation with Steve Paikin on TVO's The Agenda
One of the most common questions I receive is, “why do you criticize the Ontario Ministy of Education so much?”
Some people are genuinely curious, since very few writers in Canada focus on education policy. Others simply think conservatives like me shouldn’t call out a ministry in a conservative government, no matter what substantive disagreements might exist.
Certainly, if I’ve been harsh at times when telling the truth in my columns for the National Post and the Toronto Sun, then I’m sorry.
But I hope readers will extend some grace and understand that what’s happening to kids in Ontario right now is very personal for me.
I was once a struggling student in the Peel District School Board. I failed the Ontario literacy test and numerous math classes. When I read about the low test scores coming out Ontario schools, I see myself in those numbers. I also see parents like my mom, who are overworked and don’t have the time or energy to hold the education system accountable for failing their kids.
These are the concerns I tried to convey earlier today in my conversation with Steve Paikin and other panelists on TVO’s The Agenda. The decline in academic performance of students in Ontario is well-documented. And it’s heartbreaking.
Three data points from the 2021-22 EQAO test results can tell you all that you need to know about what’s happening to Ontario students.
For grade three students, 41% do not meet the provincial standard in mathematics.
For grade six students, a majority of 53% do not meed the provincial standard in mathematics.
For grade nine students, 48% do not meed the provincial standard in mathematics. (This is a 23% decrease from 2019.)
Now, the Ontario Ministry of Education would have you believe that things are trending in the right direction. They use race politics to show how “progressive” they are, as you can learn about in the Government of Ontario’s annual anti-racism progress report, but you will not see the Ministry treat these abysmal test scores with the urgency or care that students deserve.
Ontario students need help. Regardless of how important you think diversity and inclusion are, we aren’t going to improve the learning outcomes of students simply by mandating anti-racism training for teachers or similar policies. Kids need more and better academic supports. Right now, they’re not getting what they need.
I’m grateful that the dedicated and talented folks at TVO’s The Agenda hosted this important conversation about education policy. We need more dialogues like this.
If you’d like to watch the conversation in full, check it out on The Agenda’s YouTube channel:
AMEN!
1. One bright spot in Ontario Education is that the ministry is proceeding to introduce phonics instruction with its Right to Read program. (https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ont-right-to-read-1.6368071. ) I was unable to relocate the ministry's announcement. While very hopeful, it mentions that other methods will still be permitted and there is a danger that phonics will be an add-on rather than the core of reading instruction. The feature that students be examined twice a year and action being taken in the first 2 years is excellent but it needs to be properly resourced.
2. The bad news is that the teaching of arithmetic in Ontario elementary schools is a failure. I recently became acquainted with a former Peel secondary school math department head who retired last year. She reported that only 30% of elementary students entering grade 9 could do even basic arithmetic. This was confirmed by the manager of my local Mathanasium.
3. Overall, however, I feel our elementary schools in particular are not up to the task of educating the average student. Our system requires a rethink. Jamil's idea of more emphasis on vocational education is a good idea. I suspect we need to start experimenting with pilot project schools along the lines of Katharine Birbalsingh's Michaela school in London, England. (https://duckduckgo.com/?t=ffab&q=Katharine+Birbalsingh&atb=v224-1&iax=videos&ia=videos&iai=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Dp9KGzj4zSjs)
Thank you for championing the children of Ontario. They and their parents need to know what's happening. Watch the government carefully. Here in the USA, we've seen them change the standards to fit the poorer outcomes. Somehow, I don't think that's going to help.