HomeMy WebLinkAbout09 Education Committee Report 4 21 Mar 2006 Minutes PublicOTTAWA- CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
To: The Board
TRUSTEE MEMBERS
OTHER TRUSTEES
NON - VOTING
REPORT NO. 4, EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Date: 21 March 2006
Bronwyn Funiciello, Margaret Lange, Greg Laws (Chair),
and Joan Spice.
Riley Brockington, Lynn Graham, David Moen, David Primeau,
and Lynn Scott.
REPRESENTATIVES: Tracy Finnigan, Elementary Operations Committee (EOC),
Kevin Gilmore, Ottawa - Carleton Secondary School Administrators' Network
(OCSSAN),
Louise Derry, Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation (OSSTF), and
Myrna Laurenceson, Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAL).
STAFF: Lorne Rachlis, Director of Education,
Laura McAlister and Glenda Stevenson, Superintendents,
Joan Oracheski, Coordinator, Quality Assurance, and
Committee Coordinator, Kim Young.
ALSO PRESENT: Kailynn Anthony and David Steele, Student Trustee Advisors.
Call to Order
The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.
2. Approval of Agenda
On a motion by Trustee Lange, the agenda was approved as presented.
Public Question Period
With respect to the special education students for whom the Board received additional funding,
Greg Bonnah asked for information regarding the number of these students who were included in the
suspension/expulsion reports.
Superintendent Stevenson reported that this information is not tracked by the Board.
Penny Sanger, Educating for Peace, congratulated the OCDSB for its work in promoting equity,
diversity and anti - racism, as well as the Board's Safe and Caring Schools program. She expressed the
view that peace education also assists students in Kindergarten to Grade 12 in understanding how they
can help build an equitable and peaceful world. She asked how OCDSB teachers are incorporating peace
education into the curriculum, at what grade levels, and the teaching methods used. Ms. Sanger also
inquired whether the OCDSB was aware of the peace and global education resources available, including
the Faculty of Education Resource Centre at the University of Ottawa, the Canadian International
Development Agency (CIDA), and the community -run Peace and Environment Resource Centre.
Education Committee 1 21 March 2006
Superintendent McAlister noted that a report on peace and global education initiatives will be
presented to the Committee in May 2006, and will likely include the issues raised by Ms. Sanger.
4. Superintendent's Report
Superintendent McAlister noted that students and staff from Robert Bateman Public School were
at the Administration Building earlier today to greet staff and increase awareness of the International Day
for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. This evening, the students and staff from the school will be
presenting to the South African High Commission an original piece of art entitled `Unity in Diversity'
which will be displayed at the High Commission.
She reported that 45 teachers have enrolled in a teaching on -line course, which is currently
underway.
Superintendent McAlister noted that a workshop for junior French Immersion (FI) teachers was
held on 21 March on "Ma Trousse d'ecriture" in literacy. Teachers were trained on how to use the
`trousse d'ecriture' and received a copy for their school resource room. She also noted that principals,
junior Literacy contact teachers and one Grade 5 teacher from each school will participate in a four -day
shared reading workshop for Grade 5 later this week.
Superintendent McAlister encouraged the members to attend the Maplefest activities which will
take place at the MacSkimming Outdoor Education Centre on 26 March.
She reported that the second term of the Trillium Web Elementary Achievement (TWEA) Report
Card has been successfully completed, and training has begun for the third term.
With respect to the house construction project, she noted that in the first term, fifty students
earned four credits each for their participation, and in the second term, 110 students will be earning four
credits each.
Superintendent McAlister encouraged the members to complete and return a survey on the
OCDSB Agenda and Meeting Schedule Review that will be provided to committee members shortly.
Superintendent McAlister agreed to follow up on Trustee Moen's query about the audience for
the "Ma Trousee d'ecriture" professional development.
Trustee Brockington asked staff to provide information on the corporate and /or private donations
of construction materials that have been made to the house construction project.
In response to Trustee Spice's query, staff confirmed that the Agenda and Meeting Schedule
Review survey will be provided to trustees as well.
5. Unfinished Business: Receipt of Minutes, Trades and Technology Steering Committee, June,
September, November and December 2005
On a motion by Trustee Brockington, your Committee recommends:
* THAT the minutes of the Trades and Technology Steering Committee, dated 13 June 2005, 15
September 2005, 17 November 2005 and 15 December 2005, be received.
* Recommendation dealt with at the 27 and 30 March 2006 Board meeting.
Education Committee 2 21 March 2006
In response to Trustee Spice's query, Superintendent McAlister confirmed that a proposal for a
plan for Trades and Technology programming in the district is currently being developed.
In response to Trustee Graham's query about the inclusion of asterisks in the minutes to indicate
the names of those trustees who arrived after the start time of the 13 June 2005 meeting, Superintendent
McAlister noted that it was not general practice to include this information in the minutes.
6. Unfinished Business: Motion, Trustee Greg Laws, re Community_ Consultation on New Middle
French Immersion Program Locations
Notice having been given, Trustee Laws moved as follows:
WHEREAS market interest, clearly defined by both the annual and five year growth rates in the
Middle French Immersion (MFI) program, can be seen as a clear indication that this program
should be expanded,
WHEREAS information relating to the spectacular annual rate of growth (i.e., 19.2 %) in the
Middle French Immersion (MFI) program was recently presented at the Business Services
Committee meeting of 18 January 2006,
WHEREAS a follow up memo (24 January 2006) from staff confirmed a strong five year growth
trend (i.e., 108.3 %) in enrolment in the MFI program - which clearly demonstrates ongoing
market demand for this program,
WHEREAS the newest MFI site for the Ottawa - Carleton District School Board appears to have
opened at Greenbank Middle School in September of 2002 (i.e., almost four years ago),
WHEREAS the four year growth in the MFI program at Katimavik Elementary School, a new
school in an area with demographics similar to many of our suburban growth communities, was
500 %,
WHEREAS geographically, there are, a) no MFI sites within the current boundaries of ( OCDSB)
Zone 97, b) no MFI sites south of Featherston Drive Public School, c) no MFI sites serving the
nearby suburban LDH community to the west and, d) nothing addressing potential demand for
MFI in rural communities west of Zone 97,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
A. As part of a review of French Immersion (FI) entry points and programming, an
examination of the potential for expansion of the MFI program elsewhere within
the OCDSB will be conducted,
B. Based on a confirmation of market demand in the final report on FI, specific
recommendations about additional MFI program locations in the south and east
portions of the OCDSB shall be part of the final report, and,
C. If, for reasons beyond the control of the board, a complete review of FI cannot
be conducted, a report outlining the steps required to thoroughly examine the
potential for an expansion of the MFI program in the south and east portion of
the OCDSB, will be prepared for presentation to a future meeting of the
Education Committee.
Education Committee 3 21 March 2006
In introducing the motion, Trustee Laws noted that the Middle French Immersion (MFI) program
is successful and there appears to be sufficient market demand for expansion of the program. He noted
the importance for MFI programming to form part of the pending French Immersion (FI) review.
Director Rachlis noted that an FI review would evaluate all French Immersion programs, and
would not include presuppositions about the continuation or expansion of any programs at the outset of
the review.
Superintendent McAlister confirmed that a plan for an FI review will be presented to the
Education Committee before the end of the school year.
An amendment by Trustee Moen THAT Part C be revised as follows was accepted as friendly:
C. If, for reasons beyond the control of the board, a complete review of FI cannot
be conducted for iniplenientation bly September 2009, a report outlining the
steps....
Trustee Funiciello moved in amendment THAT Part B and Part C be revised by deleting "the
south and east portions of
Trustees speaking against the amendment noted the importance for the review to include the
south and eastern areas of the district, and for these areas to be included in the consideration of the
location for the expansion of the MFI program.
Director Rachlis stated that a review of FI would evaluate the entry points for French Immersion,
and would include an assessment of where additional sites might be needed, and also where sites could be
consolidated.
The amendment was carried.
Trustee Moen moved in amendment THAT Part B be revised as follows:
B. Based on a confirmation of market demand in the final report on FI, specific
recommendations about how to provide MFI delively to portions of the Board
not currently sei -v,ed shall be part of the final report,
In introducing the amendment, Trustee Moen noted that the proposed wording makes clear the
intention that the MFI program should be provided to all students if possible, in an effort to ensure equity
of access.
Trustees speaking against the amendment noted that the wording of Part B presupposes the
outcome of the FI review. It is inappropriate to pre- determine what the staff recommendations ought to
be with respect to the location of MFI programs. They pointed out that the MFI programs are one aspect
of what will be a comprehensive review, and should be dealt with in conjunction with the plan for the
other FI programs. They expressed the view that the review should not be restricted to areas not currently
served by MFI programs, and the importance of assessing all parts of the Board as part of the review.
Trustees speaking in support of the amendment referred to the benefits of providing input to staff
in the early stages of planning the review.
Education Committee 4 21 March 2006
In wrap -up, Trustee Moen noted that the amendment to Part B would not restrict the review to
only under served areas. Part B, if approved, would direct staff to include recommendations about
additional MFI program locations in areas underserved as part of the review.
The amendment was defeated.
Trustee Moen moved in amendment THAT Part C be revised as follows:
C. If, for reasons beyond the control of the board, a complete
Review of FI cannot be conducted, a report outlining the steps required to provide
delivery of the MFI program in areas of the Board not currently sei -v,ed will be
prepared for presentation to a future meeting of the Education Committee.
A sub - amendment by Trustee Scott to revise Part C as follows was accepted as friendly:
C. If, for reasons beyond the control of the board, a complete review of FI cannot
be conducted for implementation by 2009, a report outlining the steps required
to provide access to the MFI program for areas of the Board not currently
served, will be prepared for....
The amendment, as sub - amended, was carried.
Trustee Scott noted, for the record, that with respect to access to programs, the students in a large
portion of her zone do not have access to a number of programs offered by the Board, including the MFI
program and the elementary alternative program. She expressed disappointment at suggestions made
during the debate that trustees were making decisions about programs in some zones dependent on
whether the programs were in place in their own zones. She pointed out that the intent of the motion is
not to make decisions about the location of FI programs at this time.
Trustees speaking against the motion noted that it would be preferable to consider the parameters
of the FI review following the presentation of the review plan by staff later this spring.
Trustees speaking in support of the motion submitted that it would be useful for the Board to
provide guidance to staff on the FI review's parameters before the plan is developed.
In wrap -up, Trustee Moen noted that the intent of the motion was to ensure that the issue of MFI
programs was included in the pending FI review.
The motion, as amended, was defeated.
7. Receipt of Special Education Advisory Committee Report, No. 5, 1 March 2006
On a motion by Trustee Graham, your Committee recommends:
THAT Report No. 5 of the Special Education Advisory Committee, dated 1 March 2006, be
received.
* Recommendation dealt with at the 27 and 30 March 2006 Board meeting.
Education Committee 5 21 March 2006
Receipt of Minutes, Trades and Technology Steering Committee, 26 January 2006
On a motion by Trustee Graham, your Committee recommends:
THAT the minutes of the Trades and Technology Steering Committee, dated 26 January 2006, be
received.
9. Support for the Artists in Schools Model, Trustee Lange
Notice having been given, Trustee Lange moved:
WHEREAS the Advisory Committee on the Arts (ACA) supports the artists -in- the - schools model
as a key element for promoting the Arts curriculum in the schools and recognizes the positive
impact that the Marjorie Loughrey Endowment Fund (MLEF) will have on the arts,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
THAT the OCDSB express its support for the artists -in- the - schools model, which the Marjorie
Loughrey Endowment Fund (MLEF) for Artists in the Schools will help implement.
In introducing the motion, Trustee Lange noted that the Marjorie Loughrey Endowment Fund is
raising funds in Ms. Loughrey's memory to provide a bursary each year to one of the OCDSB Beacon
schools to have an artist in the school for a week. The Advisory Committee on the Arts (ACA) is
requesting that the Board lend support to its fundraising efforts by endorsing the artists -in- the - schools
model.
Trustee Lange explained that it is the ACA's expectation that the funding would cover the cost of
an artist in the school at one Beacon school each year. The ACA is hoping to raise a total of $50,000 to
fund the program, which would allow it to continue in perpetuity.
Director Rachlis indicated that Beacon schools have greater difficulty than other schools in
raising funds. There are now sufficient funds in place to offer the program for two years, and the ACA
are now two - thirds of the way towards its goal of $50,000.
In response to queries, Director Rachlis explained that the mandate of the program is not specific
with respect to the breakdown of time that students would spend with the artist, and would likely depend
on the curriculum at the school.
Trustee Lange confirmed that the ACA is not requesting that the Board financially contribute to
the fund. She clarified that the Community Foundation holds the principal fund, and interest from the
fund will cover the cost of the program each year.
The motion was carried. On a motion by Trustee Lange, your Committee therefore recommends:
THAT the OCDSB express its support for the artists -in- the - schools model, which the Marjorie
Loughrey Endowment Fund (MLEF) for Artists in the Schools will help implement.
* Recommendations dealt with at the 27 and 30 March 2006 Board meeting.
Education Committee 6 21 March 2006
10. Declining Enrolment at Beacon Schools, Trustee Graham
Notice having been given, Trustee Graham moved as follows:
WHEREAS the elementary school population of the OCDSB has declined by 4.3 % between
October 2003 and October 2005,
WHEREAS the elementary school population of OCDSB Beacon Schools has declined by 11.8
% during the same time period,
WHEREAS factors that account for this variance could include: demographics, labelling, student
transfer policy, program offerings, boundary changes, availability of child care, EQAO results,
and condition of facility,
WHEREAS it is important to maintain stable and challenging school environments for all
students, including those who are deemed at greatest risk of school failure,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED
THAT a report be prepared for June Education Committee providing an analysis of the reasons
why enrolment is declining at elementary Beacon Schools faster than at other elementary schools
and that the report include recommendations as to how this situation can be addressed.
In introducing the motion, Trustee Graham referred to the comparative data on Folio 28
regarding enrolment at elementary Beacon schools and explained that there has been an 11.8 percent
decrease in enrolment at Beacon schools between October 2003 and October 2005. She noted the
importance for the Board to understand the reasons for the enrolment decline, and suggested that it might
be necessary for the Board to change the ways and means by which it identifies and promotes Beacon
schools.
Trustee Primeau expressed concern that the motion presupposes that there is a problem that needs
to be addressed by the Board.
An amendment by Trustee Primeau THAT "if appropriate," be inserted following
"recommendations" and that "can be addressed" be replaced by "should be addressed" was accepted as
friendly.
During the course of the discussion, some trustees noted the sometimes negative connotations
associated with the label of Beacon school. They pointed out that there are children at risk attending
OCDSB schools across the system, not just Beacon schools. They also noted a trend across the system
for parents to enroll their children in schools that offer dual track programs, which are perceived as
"better" schools.
Trustees speaking in support of the motion expressed support for staff identifying some of the
main variables resulting in declining enrolment at Beacon schools, and suggested that one of these
variables might be access to transportation.
The motion, as amended, was carried. On a motion by Trustee Graham, your Committee
therefore recommends:
Education Committee 7 21 March 2006
THAT a report be prepared for June Education Committee providing an analysis of the reasons
why enrolment is declining at elementary Beacon Schools faster than at other elementary schools
and that the report include recommendations, if appropriate, as to how this situation should be
addressed.
11. Advertising Campaign for the Gifted Program, Trustee Funiciello
Notice having been given, Trustee Funiciello moved:
WHEREAS there are spaces available in the OCDSB's specialized Gifted program for the
2006/2007 school year,
WHERAS the OCDSB specialized Gifted program is an example of programming excellence
that has proven to be a very effective way of meeting the needs of exceptional students,
WHEREAS within eastern Ontario, the specialized Gifted program is unique to the OCDSB,
WHEREAS effective advertising of the OCDSB's specialized Gifted program will result in an
increase in the market share of enrolment which will improve school and program viability,
which is consistent with the board's goals and objectives,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED
THAT staff immediately take steps to increase awareness of the OCDSB's specialized Gifted
program including but not limited to the following:
A. Send a letter home to parents of all students who have been identified as Gifted in
our District, and who are not currently in a specialized Gifted class
communicating the availability of classes. Attach the Gifted programming fact
sheet to this letter,
B. For any IPRC held after March to consider the identification of a student as
Gifted, include with the notice of the meeting a letter communicating the
availability of classes and fact sheets on Gifted programming,
C. Schedule and advertise District wide open houses to provide information on and
answer questions about Gifted programming at the OCDSB,
D. Run bilingual newspaper advertisements in a variety of publications
communicating the availability of space in these exceptional programs,
E. Enhance website access to information on the Gifted program such as easy to
find home page links to Gifted programming fact sheets, identification
procedures, program locations, etc.,
F. Include information on Gifted programming and the availability of spaces in
OCDSB back to school awareness campaigns, and,
* Recommendation dealt with at the 27 and 30 March 2006 Board meeting.
Education Committee 8 21 March 2006
G. Work proactively and collaboratively with the school communities of school's
hosting specialized Gifted programs in an effort to increase awareness of the
programs.
In introducing the motion, Trustee Funiciello noted that the intent of the motion is to increase the
public awareness of the OCDSB's specialized Gifted program. She explained that Part A and B are derived
from staff's recommendation last year on this issue and the implementation of Part C regarding open houses
would result in a return to a practice that was in place a number of years ago. Trustee Funiciello
commented on Part D of the motion and the importance for the Board to run paid advertisements about the
Gifted program in a variety of publications. The intent of Part E through G of the motion is to improve the
Gifted program's viability and to increase the OCDSB's market share of students.
Director Rachlis noted that the recently released report on the Special Education Review included
information on the Gifted program, of which the Board has yet to review. He noted that there are costs to
the Board for several aspects of the motion, and asked that staff have the opportunity to provide a costing
on these initiatives.
In response to a number of queries, Superintendent Stevenson noted that there are currently
approximately 557 students identified as Gifted, but enrolled in the regular program. When students are
identified as Gifted, staff review the placement options with parents. Rather than enrolling their child in a
specialized Gifted program, parents sometimes decide to have their child placed in the regular classroom,
with withdrawal support. She recalled that last year, 492 letters were sent to the parents of Gifted students,
informing them about the specialized Gifted program. Six families responded to the letter, asking for
further information about the specialized classes.
With respect to the public awareness campaign that was undertaken last year, Superintendent
Stevenson clarified that staff had recommended a targeted campaign to address the existence of under-
utilized specialized Gifted classes at Vincent Massey Public School and Maple Ridge Elementary School.
Some parents experienced frustration in their efforts to access Gifted program information on the OCDSB
web site due to the fact that spaces in the specialized Gifted program were only available in certain areas of
the Board.
An amendment by Trustee Spice THAT Part C be revised as follows was accepted as friendly:
C. Schedule and advertise one or more District wide open houses....
Trustee Spice requested that a separate vote be taken on Part F of the motion.
Myrna Laurenceson expressed disappointment that the motion was not presented to the Board
through SEAL. She noted that specialized Gifted classes in some areas of the district are under enrolled
and the motion, if carried, would result in a scattered approach to dealing with the issue of underutilized
programs. She urged the trustees to consider the approval of only Part A and B of the motion.
Trustee Moen estimated a cost of approximately $2,000 to the Board to implement the proposed
campaign, and expressed the view that if the advertising campaign resulted in drawing additional Gifted
students to the program, this increased funding revenue would more than likely cover the cost of
advertising.
During a brief discussion of the cost of the 2005 public awareness campaign to promote the Gifted
program, Trustee Moen expressed the view that the Board motion on this issue included a budget for paid
advertising, as opposed to the public service announcements (PSAs) that were circulated to community
Education Committee 9 21 March 2006
newspapers. Superintendent Stevenson clarified that the Board motion had not included direction to staff to
run paid advertising, nor was there a budget allocated for this purpose.
Trustees speaking in support of the motion expressed support for a step -by -step process of
increasing public awareness of the Gifted program, i.e., send letters to parents first, then if necessary,
follow -up with holding open houses. They expressed the view that a lack of awareness of the specialized
Gifted program is the primary reason for spaces being available in some schools, and the letters being sent
home to parents by their children are not effective as a sole means of attracting students to the program.
Some trustees expressed support for Part D of the motion, but only if the newspaper advertisements were
run in areas having schools with specialized Gifted spaces available. They also expressed support for the
enhancement of the OCDSB web site with respect to information on the specialized Gifted program.
Trustees speaking against the motion noted that the clauses outlining the rationale for the motion
appear to contradict a number of the findings in the report on the Special Education Review. They noted
that the time might not be right for an initiative of this magnitude and cost, and expressed caution that there
might not be sufficient staff resources to carry out this work at this time.
Trustee Scott noted that staff confirmed that many aspects of the public awareness campaign
outlined in the motion are already underway. Trustee Scott moved in amendment THAT the motion be
revised as follows:
THAT staff take steps to increase awareness of the OCDSB's specialized Gifted program where
space is expected to be available for September 2006.
Trustees speaking against the amendment noted the importance of retaining the paid advertising
campaign in Part C of the motion. They noted that without the implementation of all of the initiatives
outlined in the motion, the Board would likely be unsuccessful in enhancing its efforts to inform parents
about the specialized Gifted program and to draw new students from outside of the district.
In wrap -up on the amendment, Trustee Scott noted that an advertising campaign should only focus
on areas having schools with specialized Gifted spaces available. She expressed the view that advertising in
community newspapers would likely be prohibitive, in addition to the cost of staff resources being spent on
the initiatives. She also expressed the view that district wide open houses have the potential for creating
significant disappointment for parents due to spaces not being available in the schools they want their
children to attend.
The amendment was carried.
In wrap -up on the motion, as amended, Trustee Funiciello expressed hope that staff would proceed
with the initiatives outlined in her original motion.
The motion, as amended, was carried. On a motion by Trustee Funiciello, your Committee
therefore recommends:
THAT staff take steps to increase awareness of the OCDSB's specialized Gifted program where
space is expected to be available for September 2006.
* Recommendation dealt with at the 27 and 30 March 2006 Board meeting.
Education Committee 10 21 March 2006
12. English as a Second Language (ESL) /English Literacy Development (ELD) Program Delivery,
Trustee Lange
Trustee Lange moved as follows:
WHEREAS the English as a Second Language (ESL) and English Literacy Development (ELD)
programs are a significant portion of the OCDSB system, the students comprising an estimated
12% of the enrolment of the OCDSB,
WHEREAS these students have the potential to be successful learners if they receive the
necessary supports,
WHEREAS the 20 February 2006 Education Committee received a comprehensive report on
ESL program delivery from the Community Council for Ethnocultural Equity outlining issues
and providing recommendations,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED
THAT staff respond to the following recommendations in their report to the April 2006
Education Committee:
A. THAT staff review the data on the EQAO test results of the ESL /ELD students
demitted from the program as a measure of the ESL program's success and, if
necessary, define what other testing would be appropriate to undertake to assess
the success of this body of students to allow for the development of a
benchmark for ESL /ELD student achievement,
B. THAT staff provide to the Board information on the number of teachers in both
the elementary and secondary panel who have completed the recommended ESL
training programs to achieve their certification to teach ESL, along with an
indication of whether these teachers are teaching ESL /ELD or regular program,
C. THAT the Board undertake a pilot summer school ESL program for secondary
students in partnership with OCISO as part of their "Step Ahead program" and
that afterwards the staff report back to the Board on the results with
recommendations for ESL summer school for the subsequent year,
D. THAT the Board appoint a Principal for ESL to develop an Action Plan for
improved delivery of programming for students in the ESL /ELD program in the
OCDSB to achieve better outcomes for ESL /ELD students and also achieve the
most effective use of resources,
E. THAT staff prepare a proposal and cost estimate for a training program that
would ensure that all teachers in the OCDSB, elementary and secondary panels,
would have the necessary skills to teach ESL students, and,
F. THAT staff provide an estimate of the cost to add Multi- Cultural Liaison
Officers (MLO's) to all the Beacon Schools in the OCDSB not already served
by an MLO and a manager to oversee the delivery of this service in the Board.
Education Committee 11 21 March 2006
In introducing the motion, Trustee Lange noted that a report on ESL is expected to be presented to
the 18 April meeting of the Education Committee, and the intent of the motion is to ensure that the issues
outlined in Parts A through F of the motion are addressed by staff in their report.
Superintendent McAlister noted that staff would provide as much of the information requested in
the motion as possible for the 18 April Education Committee meeting. In response to a query, she indicated
that parts of the motion can be addressed in April, and other parts could possibly be addressed by the 15
May Education Committee meeting.
Trustee Brockington requested that each part of the motion be voted on separately.
A motion by Trustee Brockington to refer Part D of the motion to the budget process was ruled out
of order by the Chair. The Chair noted that the motion asks staff to provide a response to the list of issues
included in the motion as part of its FI report, and is not directing staff to implement the items outlined in
the motion.
An amendment by Trustee Primeau THAT "April 2006" be replaced with "May 2006" was
accepted as friendly.
The motion, as amended, was carried. On a motion by Trustee Lange, your Committee therefore
recommends:
THAT staff respond to the following recommendations in their report to the May 2006 Education
Committee:
A. THAT staff review the data on the EQAO test results of the ESUELD students
demitted from the program as a measure of the ESL program's success and, if
necessary, define what other testing would be appropriate to undertake to assess
the success of this body of students to allow for the development of a
benchmark for ESUELD student achievement,
B. THAT staff provide to the Board information on the number of teachers in both
the elementary and secondary panel who have completed the recommended ESL
training programs to achieve their certification to teach ESL, along with an
indication of whether these teachers are teaching ESUELD or regular program,
C. THAT the Board undertake a pilot summer school ESL program for secondary
students in partnership with OCISO as part of their "Step Ahead program" and
that afterwards the staff report back to the Board on the results with
recommendations for ESL summer school for the subsequent year,
D. THAT the Board appoint a Principal for ESL to develop an Action Plan for
improved delivery of programming for students in the ESUELD program in the
OCDSB to achieve better outcomes for ESUELD students and also achieve the
most effective use of resources,
* Recommendation dealt with at the 27 and 30 March 2006 Board meeting.
Education Committee 12 21 March 2006
E. THAT staff prepare a proposal and cost estimate for a training program that
would ensure that all teachers in the OCDSB, elementary and secondary panels,
would have the necessary skills to teach ESL students, and,
F. THAT staff provide an estimate of the cost to add Multi- Cultural Liaison
Officers (MLO's) to all the Beacon Schools in the OCDSB not already served
by an MLO and a manager to oversee the delivery of this service in the Board.
13. Beacon Schools, 2006 -2007
Your Committee had before it for information report No. 06 -040, presenting the list of Beacon
schools for the 2006 -2007 school year. The report included the factors, indicators and sources of data
related to the identification of Beacon schools, as well as the history of Beacon schools in the OCDSB,
based on the three previous calculations of the Beacon index.
In response to a query, Superintendent McAlister confirmed that the list of Beacon schools under
the 2005 -2006 column on Folio 32 are those schools that have been identified as Beacon schools for the
2006 -2007 school year.
During the brief discussion, some trustees expressed concern that the Board is failing to provide
services that are needed because it does not have the means to find other schools that should be identified
as Beacon. It was also noted that schools that receive Beacon funding should be using the funds for
Beacon - related initiatives, not to balance their budgets. The view was expressed that Beacon funding
should be directed to meeting the needs of those students identified as at risk, not directed to the school in
its entirety. It was noted that the current approach used by the Board results in the Board not addressing
the needs of "Beacon" students who attend schools which are not designated as being a Beacon school.
14. Special Education Programs and Service Review — Phase II Report
Your Committee had before it for information report No. 06 -066, presenting the Special
Education Program and Service Review — Phase II Report.
15. Board Improvement Plan 2006 -2007
Your Committee had before it for information report No. 06 -064 presenting the 2006 -2007
OCDSB Improvement Plan.
A motion to continue the meeting past 10:30 p.m., did not receive a two - thirds majority. The
meeting adjourned at 10:30 p.m.
Greg Laws, Chair
Education Committee
Education Committee 13 21 March 2006