education

Saturday June 24, 2017

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday June 24, 2017

Queen Park Priorities

What is going wrong with math in Grades 4 to 6 in Hamilton, Burlington and across the province?

September 3, 2013

Perhaps the hardest equation to solve right now in Ontario’s education system is why half of Grade 6 students are failing to meet the provincial standard with fewer succeeding each year. 

“I wish I had the golden answer,” said Ian VanderBurgh, the director of the Centre for Education in Mathematics and Computing at the University of Waterloo.

“We need to figure out why.”

In the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) a mere 42 per cent of students had the mathematics skills the Ontario curriculum expects by the end of Grade 6, according to provincial tests from 2014 to 2016. 

To compare, 74 per cent of those same students meet the benchmark in reading and 73 per cent in writing. 

Year-by-year results show the problem in Grade 6 math is only getting worse.

“It’s time to do a reset,” said Peter Sovran, executive superintendent of student achievement and school operations at the HWDSB. 

“We are not pleased and I don’t think anyone should be pleased in the province.” (Source: Hamilton Spectator) 

June 23, 2016

Meanwhile, Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne has a public opinion problem at home, and elsewhere.

She scored the highest disapproval ratings among any Canadian premier in Ontario, and across Canada, in a Mainstreet Research/Postmedia poll that was released on Thursday.

In Ontario, Wynne scored a 70 per cent disapproval rating and a 19 per cent approval rating.

Her disapproval rating was close to last year’s, when she scored 71 per cent in Ontario. Her approval rating in her home province was unchanged from 2016.

Wynne scored the strongest disapproval rating nationally, hitting 48 per cent, which put her just above Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard. (Source: Global News) 

Wednesday August 31, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Wednesday August 31, 2016 Ontario PC Leader Patrick Brown now says he was unaware of letter promising to scrap sex-ed curriculum OntarioÕs Progressive Conservative leader says he didnÕt know that a letter was being distributed with his name on it saying he would scrap the Liberal governmentÕs sex-ed curriculum. The letter bearing Patrick BrownÕs electronic signature was sent out last week in the east Toronto riding of Scarborough-Rouge River days before voters head to the polls Thursday in a byelection. Brown says he doesnÕt want to throw anyone in the campaign team Òunder the bus,Ó but he only saw the letter after it went out and after media reports about it emerged Friday. He now says he wants to correct the record because he will not scrap the Liberal sex-ed curriculum if he is premier after the 2018 provincial election. Brown says that there is Òsignificant oppositionÓ to the curriculum in Scarborough-Rouge River and that his position will likely cost his party votes there. The curriculum was updated last year, for the first time since 1998, but some parents complained that the government didnÕt consult them enough and others were angered by mentions of same-sex relationships, gender identities and masturbation. (Source: National Post)Êhttp://news.nationalpost.com/news/canada/canadian-politics/ontario-pc-leader-patrick-brown-now-says-he-was-unaware-of-letter-promising-to-scrap-sex-ed-curriculum Ontario, PC Party, Sex-ed, sex, education, boy, cried wolf, Patrick Brown

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday August 31, 2016

Ontario PC Leader Patrick Brown now says he was unaware of letter promising to scrap sex-ed curriculum

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Tuesday May 31, 2016 'Freedom and respect': Conservatives strike marriage definition from party policy Conservative delegates at the party's policy convention in Vancouver have voted to strike the definition of marriage in the party's official policy document. In a 1,036-462 vote, delegates from all provinces except Saskatchewan cast majority votes in favour of no longer defining marriage as a union between one man and one woman. "I think our party got a little more Canadian today," Calgary MP Michelle Rempel said after the vote. "It's a milestone and it's not just a milestone for our party, it's a milestone for all Canadians.Ó "Yes, it took us 10 years to get to this point, but I think this is something that is a beacon for people around the world who are looking at equality rights. Canada is a place where we celebrate equality.Ó The result followed a heated debate and prompted some high-fives and cheers across the hall. It shifts the party's official position on same-sex marriage from being against the unions to neutral. Eric Lorenzen, from an Eastern Ontario riding, said during the debate that as a gay Conservative, he found it troubling that his party told him his relationship with his partner was not valued. "What other group does our party have a negative policy towards? A policy of restricting civil rights and restricting full participation in society?" he said, drawing applause. The result followed a heated debate and prompted some high-fives and cheers across the hall. It shifts the party's official position on same-sex marriage from being against the unions to neutral. Eric Lorenzen, from an Eastern Ontario riding, said during the debate that as a gay Conservative, he found it troubling that his party told him his relationship with his partner was not valued. "What other group does our party have a negative policy towards? A policy of restricting civil rights and restricting full parti

May 31, 2016

Ontario’s Progressive Conservative leader says he didn’t know that a letter was being distributed with his name on it saying he would scrap the Liberal government’s sex-ed curriculum.

The letter bearing Patrick Brown’s electronic signature was sent out last week in the east Toronto riding of Scarborough-Rouge River days before voters head to the polls Thursday in a byelection.

Thursday, February 26, 2015

February 26, 2015

Brown says he doesn’t want to throw anyone in the campaign team “under the bus,” but he only saw the letter after it went out and after media reports about it emerged Friday.

He now says he wants to correct the record because he will not scrap the Liberal sex-ed curriculum if he is premier after the 2018 provincial election.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Tuesday March 8, 2016 Patrick Brown sees a new, inclusive Ontario PC party Taking aim at climate change, Progressive Conservative Leader Patrick Brown is signalling his party will propose a ÒsensibleÓ price on carbon emissions. ÒWe have to do something about it,Ó he told about 1,700 delegates Saturday evening at the first PC annual meeting since taking the partyÕs helm in May. ÒSensible carbon pricing doesnÕt have to be a contribution in terms. But it cannot be a cash grab,Ó he added in a reference to Premier Kathleen WynneÕs cap and trade plan, which will add an average 4.3 cents to a litre of gasoline and $5 to homeownersÕ monthly natural gas bills. The line drew lukewarm applause and a shout of ÒnoÓ from one vocal skeptic and some groans in a crowd that came to its feet several times during the 26-minute address. ÒI spoke from the heart,Ó Brown told reporters later, noting he had briefed his MPPs about the stance and got Òpractically universalÓ support. ÒWe have a grassroots party. People are entitled to have divergent opinions. ... ItÕs healthy.Ó Although Brown did not detail how his plan would work as the party begins deliberations on an election platform for 2018 and freshens its face with a new logo, he promised a carbon tax that is Òrevenue neutralÓ to the government and will come with Òcorresponding tax cuts for individuals and businesses.Ó Promoting himself as a ÒpragmaticÓ Progressive Conservative, Brown said the Liberals, who have trounced his party in four elections since 2003, are not expecting a more nimble and canny rival than in years past, when Tory campaigns were scuppered by ideas that flopped. ÒThere is one thing that Kathleen Wynne fears more than anything else: a Progressive Conservative Party that has the courage to change,Ó he said to a standing ovation at a downtown convention centre. In a reference to the ill-fated Tim Hudak PC election promise in 2014 to cut 100,000 p

March 8, 2016

Brown says that there is “significant opposition” to the curriculum in Scarborough-Rouge River and that his position will likely cost his party votes there.

The curriculum was updated last year, for the first time since 1998, but some parents complained that the government didn’t consult them enough and others were angered by mentions of same-sex relationships, gender identities and masturbation. (Source: National Post)

 

Thursday March 17, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Thursday March 17, 2016 ÔFreeÕ tuition in Ontario doesnÕt mean there are no costs to students Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne says she worries about her government pitching a new student grant program as providing ÒfreeÓ tuition, because there are caveats. The Liberal government announced in its recent budget that it is combining existing programs to create an Ontario Student Grant, which would pay for average college or university tuition for students from families with incomes of $50,000 or less. But in a question-and-answer session with student leaders on Tuesday, Wynne was asked why the program is being marketed as free tuition, when students who qualify would still incur some costs. It is expected that students will still pay $3,000 toward their overall costs, such as living expenses, to supplement the tuition grant. ÒI have worried about the same thing, that itÕs free with some explanation required,Ó she said. ÒI think at the same time, if weÕre talking about tuition, average tuition, the grant will cover that, so that will be free.Ó The language around the new grant will likely Òevolve,Ó she said. The $3,000 figure was arrived at because staff determined it was a Òreasonable amountÓ that a student could make at a summer job, the premier said. Under the new program, half of students from families with incomes of $83,000 will qualify for non-repayable grants to cover their tuition and no student will receive less than they can currently receive. The government is defining average college tuition as $2,768 and average university tuition as $6,160, for arts and science programs. Wynne conceded the Ontario Student Grant is targeted at full-time, not part-time, students. ÒI donÕt think we actually have the plan for part-time students that we need,Ó she said. ÒThere are some supports in place through the Canada Student Assistance Grants, but I think that thereÕs more that we have to do.Ó She a

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday March 17, 2016

‘Free’ tuition in Ontario doesn’t mean there are no costs to students

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne says she worries about her government pitching a new student grant program as providing “free” tuition, because there are caveats.

The Liberal government announced in its recent budget that it is combining existing programs to create an Ontario Student Grant, which would pay for average college or university tuition for students from families with incomes of $50,000 or less.

But in a question-and-answer session with student leaders on Tuesday, Wynne was asked why the program is being marketed as free tuition, when students who qualify would still incur some costs.

It is expected that students will still pay $3,000 toward their overall costs, such as living expenses, to supplement the tuition grant.

“I have worried about the same thing, that it’s free with some explanation required,” she said. “I think at the same time, if we’re talking about tuition, average tuition, the grant will cover that, so that will be free.”

The language around the new grant will likely “evolve,” she said.

The $3,000 figure was arrived at because staff determined it was a “reasonable amount” that a student could make at a summer job, the premier said.

Under the new program, half of students from families with incomes of $83,000 will qualify for non-repayable grants to cover their tuition and no student will receive less than they can currently receive.

The government is defining average college tuition as $2,768 and average university tuition as $6,160, for arts and science programs.

Wynne conceded the Ontario Student Grant is targeted at full-time, not part-time, students.

“I don’t think we actually have the plan for part-time students that we need,” she said. “There are some supports in place through the Canada Student Assistance Grants, but I think that there’s more that we have to do.”

She also acknowledged there are calls from some corners for free tuition for every student. Wynne said she was open to the discussion, but at the moment the government can pay for the new student grant through combining several programs and eliminating some tax credits.

“In an ideal world we might actually move there,” she said. “I don’t know at this point how we would do that.” (Canadian Press)

 

Tuesday March 2, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Tuesday March 2, 2016 Winter storm Approaches A winter storm is expected to hit Hamilton later this afternoon and drop up to 30 cm snow overnight. Blowing snow, powered by wind gusts of up to 70 km/h/, will create treacherous driving conditions as visibility drops to zero at times. The snow is expected to begin during the Tuesday evening commute and intensify later tonight. Environment Canada suggests postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve. The forecast suggests the storm will have moved out of the area by midday Wednesday. In anticipation of the worst storm of the winter so far, evening classes are cancelled at McMaster University, Mohawk College and the Hamilton Wentworth District School Board. McMaster University will close at 4:30 p.m. today. Mohawk will close at 4 p.m. today, with all evening classes at the Fennell, Stoney Creek and IAHS campuses cancelled. College officials say a decision will be made by 5:30 a.m. tomorrow about whether Mohawk will remain closed or reopen Wednesday. All Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board facilities will close at 6 p.m. tonight. All meetings, permits, continuing education courses, night school and ESL adult programs are cancelled. As part of that, the HWDSB senior elementary basketball championship scheduled for Nora Frances Henderson Secondary School for Tuesday evening has been postponed. Further information regarding the rescheduling of the event will be available on www.hwdsb.on.ca/athletics www.hwdsb.on.ca/athletics as well as Twitter when available. (Source: Hamilton Spectator) http://www.thespec.com/news-story/6370366-winter-storm-mac-mohawk-and-hamilton-wentworth-school-classes-cancelled-tonight/ Hamilton, Ontario, Winter, snow, storm, blizzard, cancellation, snow day, weather, lion, board, education

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday March 2, 2016

Winter storm Approaches

A winter storm is expected to hit Hamilton later this afternoon and drop up to 30 cm snow overnight.

Thursday, February 5, 2015Blowing snow, powered by wind gusts of up to 70 km/h/, will create treacherous driving conditions as visibility drops to zero at times.

The snow is expected to begin during the Tuesday evening commute and intensify later tonight.

Environment Canada suggests postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve.

The forecast suggests the storm will have moved out of the area by midday Wednesday.

In anticipation of the worst storm of the winter so far, evening classes are cancelled at McMaster University, Mohawk College and the Hamilton Wentworth District School Board.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, Editorial Cartoonist, The Hamilton Spectator - Tuesday March 11, 2008 McHattie is hot on snow removal If you've had it up to here with shovelling snow, Councillor Brian McHattie has an easy-on-the-back solution. The Ward 1 councillor is proposing hiring contractors to clear sidewalks outside people's homes next winter. If McHattie gets enough support from his west-end constituents, he'll ask city council to approve adding the snow removal cost toÊproperty owners' tax bills. After discussing it with city staff, McHattie estimates it will cost Ward 1 residents $28 to $31 per household for the first year of service. In the second year of a presumed five-year contract, the cost would fall to around $19 to $22 per year. It would be more expensive the first year because the private contractor would likely have to buy specialized plows. The work would be contracted out because the city apparently doesn't have the resources to take on the job itself. Right now, McHattie's proposal is focused only on his own ward. But he says there's nothing stopping other councillors looking at the same service for their area. (Source: Hamilton Spectator) Canada, sidewalk, snow, winter, shovelling, habits, bylaw, civility, shovel

Tuesday March 11, 2008

McMaster University will close at 4:30 p.m. today. Mohawk will close at 4 p.m. today, with all evening classes at the Fennell, Stoney Creek and IAHS campuses cancelled.

College officials say a decision will be made by 5:30 a.m. tomorrow about whether Mohawk will remain closed or reopen Wednesday.

All Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board facilities will close at 6 p.m. tonight. All meetings, permits, continuing education courses, night school and ESL adult programs are cancelled.

As part of that, the HWDSB senior elementary basketball championship scheduled for Nora Frances Henderson Secondary School for Tuesday evening has been postponed. Further information regarding the rescheduling of the event will be available on its website as well as Twitter when available. (Source: Hamilton Spectator)

 

Thursday September 10, 2015

By Graeme MacKay, Editorial Cartoonist, The Hamilton Spectator - Thursday September 10, 2015 Half of one Toronto schoolÕs students kept home to protest new sex-ed Parents in one Toronto community have made good on their threat to keep their children at home on the first day of school to protest the provinceÕs new sex-ed curriculum, which they say is not age appropriate. At Thorncliffe Park, where nearly all of its Grade 1 to 5 students were pulled from class during a protest staged by parents in the spring, almost half of the schoolÕs population was absent Tuesday, said a spokesman for the Toronto District School Board. Julie Lalonde was stalked by an ex-boyfriend for years. One note he left read: ÒI will always love you, you have no choice.Ó Complaints from parents have ranged from a lack of consultation with them to not wanting their kids to be taught about same-sex relationships and different gender identities. Education Minister Liz Sandals urged parents who are opposed to the curriculum to first talk to teachers and principals because there is Òa lot of misinformationÓ being circulated, but each school board does have a policy on withdrawing students from particular classes. However, she said, the majority of the feedback she has received has been positive. ÒI have never in my life been just stopped on the street by strangers so often (who) said, ÔThank you for doing this. Hang in there. We want this program.ÒÕ Premier Kathleen Wynne said in addition to thousands of school council chairs, 70 health organizations and parent groups were consulted in crafting the new curriculum, which had not been updated since 1998. ÒThis is the most widely consulted upon curriculum in the history of the province,Ó she said Tuesday. ÒWhen we write curriculum...on geography or social studies or mathematics, that kind of consultation does not happen because thatÕs not how curriculum has been historically written in the province. We felt there was a need to have a broader

By Graeme MacKay, Editorial Cartoonist, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday September 10, 2015

Half of one Toronto school’s students kept home to protest new sex-ed

Parents in one Toronto community have made good on their threat to keep their children at home on the first day of school to protest the province’s new sex-ed curriculum, which they say is not age appropriate.

Thursday, February 26, 2015At Thorncliffe Park, where nearly all of its Grade 1 to 5 students were pulled from class during a protest staged by parents in the spring, almost half of the school’s population was absent Tuesday, said a spokesman for the Toronto District School Board.

Julie Lalonde was stalked by an ex-boyfriend for years. One note he left read: “I will always love you, you have no choice.”

Complaints from parents have ranged from a lack of consultation with them to not wanting their kids to be taught about same-sex relationships and different gender identities.

Education Minister Liz Sandals urged parents who are opposed to the curriculum to first talk to teachers and principals because there is “a lot of misinformation” being circulated, but each school board does have a policy on withdrawing students from particular classes.

However, she said, the majority of the feedback she has received has been positive.

“I have never in my life been just stopped on the street by strangers so often (who) said, ‘Thank you for doing this. Hang in there. We want this program.“’

Premier Kathleen Wynne said in addition to thousands of school council chairs, 70 health organizations and parent groups were consulted in crafting the new curriculum, which had not been updated since 1998.

“This is the most widely consulted upon curriculum in the history of the province,” she said Tuesday.

“When we write curriculum…on geography or social studies or mathematics, that kind of consultation does not happen because that’s not how curriculum has been historically written in the province. We felt there was a need to have a broader consultation with parents on this curriculum.”

Progressive Conservative MPP Monte McNaughton, who has been a staunch opponent of the curriculum, is urging Wynne to shelve the document and start over by consulting parents.

The party’s new leader, Patrick Brown, notably did not broach the issue in his statement marking the first day of school. He said last week he wants to “make sure parents have a say on how much and when.”

In the spring Sandals suggested Conservative groups were behind some of the opposition and now there are Conservative candidates campaigning in the federal election on sex-ed opposition.

“If there’s one group of people we admit we have not consulted with in a thorough sort of way, it would be federal Conservative candidates, I admit,” she said. (Source: Globe & Mail)