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Student Success Program

Ministry of Education

November 2004

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Government Priorities

Success by age 12 - Grade 6– 75% of students reading and writing at provincial

level A good outcome for every student

– Student Success Program– Learning to 18

Lowering the drop out rate Increasing the graduation rate

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Secondary School Reform - Background

Students “at risk” not new issue. 1980s-1999, secondary organized into Basic,

General and Advanced, with Ontario Academic Credits for university-bound

Royal Commission on Learning, 1994, found university-bound well-served, but others (majority of students) had “unclear paths and a lack of purpose”.

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Secondary School Reform - Background

Royal Commission noted drop out rates

for students studying at:– basic level: 65%, – general level: 58%– advanced level: 10%

Recommended 4 year program, which was developed 1995-99

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Secondary School Reform - Background

New 4-year program implemented for students entering Grade 9 in 1999

Grades 9 and 10 applied & academic courses Grades 11 and 12 destination-related: university,

college, university-college and workplace preparation Provincial high school literacy test introduced Policies to support career education, school-work

transitions and cooperative education

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Context for Focus on Students at Risk

At-Risk Working Group (educators, parent, community reps) established to advise on students at risk in Grades 7-12. Reported January 2003.

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Students Considered At Risk(At-Risk Working Group Report, 2003)

Elementary students performing at level 1, or below grade expectations

Secondary students who would have studied at the modified basic or basic level in the previous curriculum

Secondary students earning marks in low 50s and 60s and who do not have the foundation to be successful in the new curriculum

Disengaged students with poor attendance

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Student Success Strategy – Key Elements

Expert advice from sector-led committees – Expert Panels on Literacy (report Oct. 2003)&

Numeracy (report June 2004)– Program Pathways Work Group (report Oct. 2003)

$50 million in 2003-4 to boards to implement– Effective literacy and numeracy preparation – Increase graduation rates– Relevant program pathways for all students, including

those who go directly to work from high school

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Support for school boards

$51 M 2004-05 ongoing funding for student success– To build capacity – training, program models,

learning resources– Not special education focus or lower PTR

Includes $10 M for designated leader in each board – Coordinates board plan & strategy, champions

Expert Panels & Program Pathways reports basis for board expenditures& annual plans

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Board plans

Leaders and board staff develop annual plans Plans include:

– Literacy & numeracy supports and programs for Gr. 7-12 students

– Measures to ensure students are able to participate in school-work programs

– Learning plans for teachers and administrators Ministry reviews plans to ensure congruency with

program goals Boards report on progress, indicators of success

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Program Pathway – definition

Combination of courses and supports that make up student’s education program AND

underlying purpose that motivates students to a particular destination.

School-work transition programs prepare students for employment on leaving school. Complete school and entry-level work requirements, develop skills, work experience.

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Student Destinations

In 1993-94, the Royal Commission on Learning reported that:

30% of grade 9 students left without a diploma;

21% graduated and went to work;

19% graduated and went directly to college; and

26% graduated and went directly to university.

Estimates for grade 9 students who entered reorganized secondary school program in 1999-00 (from Alan King – Phase 3, Double Cohort Study):

26%-30% will leave without a diploma;

20% will graduate and go directly to work;

20% will graduate and go directly to college;

28-33% will graduate and go directly to university.

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How Students are Doing

High failure rates in some grade 9 and 10 courses a principal reason why students will not complete their high school diplomas, According to Alan King Phase 3, Double Cohort Study.

Up to 30% of students entering Grade 9 in 1999-00 at risk of leaving without diploma.

Up to 1/3 of school leavers will eventually earn high school diploma through adult education program.

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Building Pathways to Success – Report of Program Pathways Group

Key Messages Need to “re-culture” attitudes within schools

and communities toward student success, so that success is not only defined as going to university.

All students need viable, credible program pathways clearly aligned with their strengths and learning styles, life goals.

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Building Pathways to Success – Report of Program Pathways Group

Recommends: Innovative program pathway models (selection and

sequence of courses over the 4 years of high school) Collecting/analyzing data to determine student needs Communication tools for parents, students, teachers

about program choices. Tools, guidelines for boards to use when reviewing or

establishing school-work transition programs.

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Supporting Student Pathways

Pathways to Employability Pilot Project to develop school-work transition planning tools

School/College/Work initiative supports innovative approaches to creating clear pathways to college

Passport to Prosperity – employer recruitment to create more co-op and school-work opportunities

Ontario Skills Passport to document essential workplace skills

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Recent Initiatives for September 2004

Six locally developed compulsory credit courses (3 new).

Two new courses: Grade 10, & Gr.12. Focus on Essential Skills, work habits, and create more opportunities for students to get co-op placements. Draft profiles on EDU website.

Expanded criteria for Ontario Scholar to recognize student achievement in workplace preparation courses (In effect for 2003-4).

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Recent Initiatives for September 2004

Curriculum Revisions to Grade 9 & 10 applied math to facilitate better transition

Review of Teacher Adviser Program $3.5 M pilot projects over next 4 years to bring

together community resources to help youth remain in school

$20 M for Technological Education Renewal Initiative to acquire up-too-date equipment for secondary school

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Student Success Expansion

$19 M to expand activities of Student Success Program announced June 8

Developing Learning to 18 Strategy with in-school and approved out-of school opportunities

Early School Leavers Research Project – Sick Children’s Research Team

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Future of P2P

Well positioned with the government’s goals Focus on results achieved

– How do we know P2P makes a difference More short term work experiences are needed Continue to build and enhance collaborative

relationships with all partners– Get to know Student Success Leaders

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Student Success Expansion

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