Eight Building Blocks for Better Schools
Ontario has a world-renowned public education system. We are committed to improving our schools, to fighting for equity for all, and to creating a safe and supportive learning environment.
As the heartbeat of public education, teachers and other education workers play a critical role in helping to shape the system and develop our students to be the very best they can be. Ontario students depend on all of us to protect and build better schools.
- Smaller Classes for Elementary Students – Reduce class sizes in grades 4 to 8 and Kindergarten to enhance activity-based learning, positive social interaction among students, and individual attention from teachers.
- Safer and Healthier Schools – Implement a province-wide strategy to address violence in schools. Review the current education funding formula to ensure it meets the diverse needs of students. Address the school repair and maintenance backlog.
- More Resources for Students with Special Needs – Expand opportunities for all students to reach their learning and development potential by providing greater support for students with special needs and for students who are English Language Learners.
- More Meaningful Student Assessment and Learning – Cancel EQAO testing and focus instead on teachers’ classroom assessments of students.
- Enriching Student Learning – Ensure access to teacher-librarians and specialist teachers in the Arts, Health and Physical Education, and guidance to provide an enriched and engaging program for all elementary students.
- Building More Inclusive Classrooms – Ontario’s economic and cultural diversity is reflected in its public schools. Ontario can build more inclusive classrooms by addressing widening equity gaps and providing the necessary supports for marginalized communities.
- A Strong Voice for Educators and their Union – Maintain the ability of unionized teachers and other education workers to speak out on behalf of safe and healthy schools and policies that contribute to student engagement, academic success and personal growth.
- One Secular School System – Establish one publicly funded education system in Ontario for each of Canada’s official languages.