What is People for Education? People for Education is an independent organization working to support public education in Ontario’s English, Catholic and French schools. Conduct an annual survey of Ontario Schools. Hold an annual conference. Provide speakers and workshops. Work with policy-makers. Work with the media.

The History of P4E P4E is now: P4E started in 1996 as a small group of parents in downtown Toronto who were concerned about fundraising and about cuts to education budgets. P4E is now: An influential and persuasive champion for public education. A purveyor of credible information and original research on education. A conveyor of important and sometimes difficult conversations on public education among a wide cross-section of people.

P4E ANNUAL REPORT An audit of the education system – a way of keeping track of the impact of policy choices in the 5000 schools across the province. Based on survey responses from 1,196 principals in English, Catholic and French schools from across the province.

PEOPLE FOR EDUCATION CONFERENCE

The Conference “Making Connections 2015” Keynote Speaker Morning Sessions Plenary Panel Afternoon Sessions Address by the Minister of Education

KEYNOTE SPEAKER Dr. Alan Sears - Professor of Social Studies Education in the Faculty of Education at University of New Brunswick Beyond Rocket Science: Educating Citizens for a Complex World What role do schools play in building students’ citizenship skills and why is it important to ensure that students develop these skills? Dr. Sears explored citizenship education, where we see it in today’s schools, and the impact it can have on our future. Citizenship awards are given to students who sit down, shut up and do what they are told. We teach kids to be activists then suspend them when they are! Does mandatory student volunteering build better citizens? Citizenship and volunteering are not the same thing.

MORNING SESSIONS School Councils: Working together for strong school communities. Building Better Report Cards: What do we really need to know? Schools as Community Hubs: How can we implement the action plan to strengthen our schools? Engaging Parents through Facilitated Conversations A new way of thinking about skills: Are we preparing kids for long-term success?

PLENARY PANEL Connecting the Dots: How can public education change the world? Panelists Craig Alexander – Vice President, Economic Analysis, CD Howe Institute Dr. Carolyn Bennett, New Appointed Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Dr. Faisal Moola, Director General, Ontario and Northern Canada, David Suzuki Foundation Wanda Nanibush, Anishinaabe-kwe image and word warrior, curator, and Idle No More organizer The four experts outlined the big issues of the day – economic, environmental, health, Aboriginal – then engaged in a moderated discussion about what we need from our K to 12 education system to ensure we’re “building” a next generation that is well equipped to face these issues.

AFTERNOON SESSIONS Social Media Strategies for Beginners Beyond Standardized Testing: Can we measure what matters? Taking Action on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Recommendations It’s OUR Education: Building Student Engagement Special Education: Advocating for Students with Special Education Needs

Representation at People for Education Conferences 2013 2015 2014

user/peopleforeducation Where to find P4E? www.peopleforeducation.ca People for Education @PeopleforEd https://www.youtube.com/ user/peopleforeducation