Presentation to the Standing Committee on Social Policy Re: Bill 177, Student Achievement and School Board Governance Act, 2009 October 26, 2009 1
Ontario Public School Boards’ Association Colleen Schenk 439 University Avenue, 18th Floor President Toronto, ON M5G 1Y8 Tel: (416) 340-2540 Gail Anderson Executive Director Fax: (416) 340-7571 webmaster@opsba.org www.opsba.org October 26, 2009 OPSBA SUBMISSION REGARDING BILL 177 An Act to amend the Education Act with respect to student achievement, school board governance and certain other matters Introduction The Ontario Public School Boards' Association (OPSBA) represents public district school boards and public school authorities across Ontario. Together our members serve the educational needs of almost 70% of Ontario’s elementary and secondary students. The Association advocates on behalf of the best interests and needs of the public school system in Ontario. OPSBA believes that the role of public education is to provide universally accessible education opportunities for all students regardless of their ethnic, racial or cultural backgrounds, social or economic status, individual exceptionality, or religious affiliation. OPSBA welcomed the Ministry of Education’s initiative, Modernization of School Board Governance . Through the Association, public school trustees across the province were actively engaged in contributing to the deliberations of the Minister’s Governance Review Committee (GRC). OPSBA was pleased that many of the Association’s recommendations are incorporated in the report School Board Governance: A focus on Achievement . The report affirmed the importance of school boards as an effective and vital level of governance for promoting democracy and civic engagement at the local level. OPSBA appreciates the opportunity to present this submission to the Standing Committee on Social Policy regarding Bill 177, an Act to amend the Education Act with respect to student achievement, school board governance and certain other matters. In OPSBA’s February submission to the Governance Review Committee we stated that: “There is deep consensus among OPSBA’s member boards that setting the conditions that will provide a high quality education for every student to succeed in school and in life is the absolute first priority of a school board. It is why trustees, without exception, run for office. Optimum conditions for successful learning and teaching environments are all about partnership and support. The current government has consistently adopted a collaborative 2
approach to working with boards, engaging them in education policy development and providing resources to boost opportunities for, and reduce barriers to, high levels of achievement for all students. Our Member Boards want to see that openness to partnership and meaningful collaboration continue to be the hallmark of the relationship between school boards and the Ministry of Education.” OPSBA supports the need for greater clarity around each partner’s respective roles, responsibilities and accountabilities – those of the Ministry of Education, the School Board, Trustees, and the Director of Education. Efforts to share and promote this information broadly, with other municipal jurisdictions, with other levels of government, and with the public at large will be beneficial to strengthening collaboration and enhancing public confidence in public education. Trustees take pride in representing their constituencies and fulfilling the important role of bringing the issues and concerns of their local communities to board discussions and decision-making. OPSBA emphasizes, as well, that many boards are currently engaged in exemplary governance practices that ensure that policies and procedures are in place to measure the efficiency of both the school board as an institution and evaluate the Board of Trustees as a governing body. Comment on Specific Provisions of Bill 177 With regard to the legislative provisions tabled within Bill 177, we have highlighted the following sections as areas that merit specific support or, in some cases, require further consideration. These are listed in the order they appear in the actual Bill. PURPOSE Strong public education system 0.1 (1) A strong public education system is the foundation of a prosperous, caring and cohesive society. Purpose of education (2) The purpose of education is to provide students with the opportunity to realize their potential and develop into highly skilled, knowledgeable, caring citizens who contribute to their society. Partners in education sector (3) All partners in the education sector have a role to play in enhancing student achievement and well-being, closing gaps in student achievement and maintaining confidence in the province's publicly funded education system OPSBA strongly supports the addition of this preamble to the Bill. It identifies a shared view of the common purpose of all the partners in education and is a strong and positive statement of a societal responsibility. REGULATIONS: RESPONSIBILITIES OF BOARD ETC. 4. Section 11 of the Act is amended by adding the following subsection (2) The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations governing the roles, responsibilities, powers and duties of boards, directors of education and board members, including chairs of boards. 3
OPSBA recommends that Bill 177 be amended to include a formalized commitment to consultation with trustee organizations whenever regulations arising from this proposed section of the Education Act are considered or amended. PARENT INVOLVEMENT COMMITTEES 17.1 The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations requiring boards to establish parent involvement committees and providing for the composition, mandate and functions of the committees. OPSBA supports the establishment of Parent Involvement Committees as advisory bodies. This largely reflects current practice in terms of board-wide representation of the interests of local school councils. School boards should be consulted about proposed regulations in this area, including how the concept of these committees aligns with comparable committees that already exist in boards. DUTIES AND POWERS OF BOARDS Board responsibility for student achievement and effective stewardship of resources 169.1 (1) Every board shall, (a) promote student outcomes specified in regulations made under section 11.1; (b) ensure effective stewardship of the board’s resources; (c) deliver effective and appropriate programs to its pupils; (d) develop and maintain policies and organisational structures that: (i) promote the goals referred to in clauses (a) to (c), (ii) promote the well-being of the boards’ pupils and (iii) encourage pupils to pursue their educational goals; (e) develop multi-year plans aimed at achieving the goals referred to in clauses (a) to (c) (f) monitor the performance of the board’s director of education , or the supervisory officer acting as the board’s director of education, in meeting his or her obligations under the plans referred to in clause (e); and (g) Annually review the plans referred to in clause (e) with the board’s director of education or the supervisory officer acting as the board’s director of education Multi-year plans (2) A multi-year plan is a plan for three or more school years Measures in plans (3) Every board shall ensure that the plans referred to in clause (1) (e) include measures respecting the allocation of resources to improve student outcomes that fall below the outcomes specified in regulations made under section 11.1 Communication (4) Every board shall take steps to, (a) bring the plans referred to in clause (1)(e) to the attention of supporters and employees of the board; and (b) report to supporters and employees of the board about progress in implementing the plans referred to in clause (1)(e) Effective Stewardship (5) Every board shall, 4
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