The Ontario government is investing more than $180 million in targeted supports to help students build the math and reading skills they need to succeed in the workforce. Stephen Lecce, the Province’s Education Minister made the announcement Sunday noting it’s time to get back to the basics.
$71 million of that will assist the new math plan, supported by the recently introduced modernized curriculum that mandates financial literacy and coding in every grade. Lecce says the plan will assist more than 300 educators who support student learning in math
The remainder of the funding will help more young students build stronger reading skills, in what Lecce calls a historic investment.
This will help fund additional specialist teachers who can work one-on-one or in small groups to help students who need additional support in reading. In addition, Lecce says the investment will help Ontario introduce new, Canada-leading, early reading screening requirements
Lecce notes that these initiatives complement previous actions including a revamped math curriculum introduced in 2020 which goes back to the basics; de-streaming of Grade 9 math and science; the restoration of merit-based hiring of educators and a one-of-a-kind, publicly funded tutoring program designed to empower students with proven learning strategies and techniques.
A breakdown of the math plan includes…
-Support more than 300 educators to support student learning in math.
-Double the number of school math coaches in classrooms to provide direct support to teachers and students.
-Introduce one math lead per board to spearhead math curriculum implementation and standardize training, and provide additional supports for math coaches in the classrooms.
-Expand access to digital math tools that students and parents can access anytime.
-Continue live teacher-led virtual tutoring services focused on math.
-Enhance skills of new teachers through dedicated training and covering costs of additional math qualification courses to enhance math fluency and competency.
When it comes to literacy, Ontario plans to…
-Introduce new, Canada-leading, early reading screening requirements for all students in Year 2 of Kindergarten to Grade 2, along with a standardized and fully funded screening tool and training for educators, to ensure students receive the necessary foundational skills and early interventions in reading that are critical to future success.
-Fund additional specialist teachers who can work one-on-one or in small groups to help students who need additional support in reading.
-Invest in almost 700 educators to support development and excellence in literacy for Ontario students.
-Introduce an overhauled language curriculum in September of 2023 with an emphasis on ensuring students at an early age can master basic literacy.