1. Education Challenges in Ontario Presentation to LDAO Sept 24, 2005 Ben Levin Deputy Minister

2. Why I’m Here ► Career as academic and civil servant ► Deputy minister in Manitoba ► Canada Research Chair at OISE ► Enticed back to government because of what is happening in Ontario

3. It’s an exciting time to be in education

4. Government’s Agenda ► Improve student outcomes ► Decrease achievement gaps and inequities ► Improve public confidence

5. Improve Student Outcomes ► Broad view of outcomes  More than test scores ► Elementary literacy/numeracy  75% reaching standard at age 12  2002 – 55% ► High school graduation rates  Currently 60% in 4 years, 70% in 5 years  Among the lowest in Canada ► In all areas, big equity challenges

6. What’s Required to do This? ► Comprehensive strategies ► Set targets and plan to reach them ► Build capacity in the system  Strong leadership ► Engage public and community ► Focus on equity issues

7. Key Actions ► Literacy and Numeracy Secretariat ► Student Success Leaders and teachers in secondary schools ► Primary class size maximum of 20 ► Induction program for new teachers ► Additional teachers through labour frameworks

8. More Actions ► Renewal of school facilities ► Strengthening parent voice ► Healthy schools policy ► Safe schools policy ► Best Start ► $2 billion in additional funding so far

9. Special Education ► Very tough policy area ► Nobody does this right ► Conflicting views  Process – identification  Placement – integration  Role of parents and professionals ► Some issues are common and some are exceptionality specific

10. Actions ► Replacing ISA 2 and 3 ► Improving teacher and school capacity ► Focusing on outcomes for students rather than inputs/processes ► Expert panel report

11. Further Steps ► Continuing to improve school capacity to serve diverse learners ► Provide more direction good practice where evidence is available ► Increase scrutiny of existing practice in boards

12. Further Steps – 2 ► More research to learn about and share effective practice ► Improve capacity of system to work with parents and manage conflicts ► Change funding to support focus on outcomes for students

13. Moving Forward ► This is an ambitious agenda ► Part of an even bigger and more ambitious agenda on education generally ► Asks people to do new things in new ways ► Capacity building takes time ► Pressure and support will be needed

14. Conclusions ► We won’t be able to do everything at once ► We will make noticeable progress over time ► Your input continues to be important and valued

15. Thank You!