Ontario elected a new government on June 7, 2018. Education is one its key areas of responsibility. We look forward to learning how the new government will address the following issues.

1.

Over the past ten years, international, national, and provincial measures of Ontario student performance show that 90% of students are performing proficiently in reading, writing, and mathematics, suggesting the ‘basics’ are being taught effectively in public education. However, employers say they need employees with skills that aren’t named on report cards or in curriculum – things like creativity, persistence, and problem-solving. How will the government support schools in moving beyond the basics to prepare our next generation for the complex economic, social, and environmental world that they will inherit?

3.

Young people’s struggles with mental illness are in the news these days, and many principals report that supporting students’ mental health is a challenge. What are your plans to address this issue?

4.

Sex education has been a key issue in the province, and issues like #MeToo have shown the importance of teaching consent. The revised curriculum is researched-based and age-appropriate. How will you ensure that students continue to have access to curriculum that is relevant to today’s world and respects the different cultures and families in Ontario?

2.

The Ministry of Education had made plans for a process to make changes to report cards and curriculum, and integrate transferable skills and global competencies into both curriculum and practice in schools. The government’s Transformation Steering Committee made a number of recommendations about how the work should proceed. Does your government plan to continue this work?

5.

Success in education, as well as access to things like the arts, child care, and technology is still strongly related to demographics – students who are poor, racialized, or come from a family with less education are less likely to succeed in school and less likely to have a range of learning opportunities. Do you have a plan to address this?