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图／贴心姐妹网 安省华人参政会举办 多伦多市公校教育局第21选区教育委员补选论坛
在多伦多市公校教育局第21选区教育委员补选竞选期间，旨在鼓励和促进华人参政的团体“安省华人参政会”编写了关于10个教育议题的问卷，让候选人回答。10位候选人在截止日期前递交了他们的回答，表达了他们对这些议题的看法。
这10个议题包括：你如何看教育委员的角色？如何评估EQAO考试的价值，如果要改的话，你的建议是什么？学生在数学学习上的挑战是什么，应该如何帮助学生？你如何看新版性教育大纲实施中的挑战，作为教育委员，你可以如何帮助解决相关困难？你如何看中学生在学术和应用课程分流上的选择，作为教育委员，你在这方面能做些什么？如果在没有得到充分利用的学校开设特别课程，你认为可以开设什么样的特别课程，比如浸透式法语课程或天才班？你认为家庭作业能帮助学生学得更多更深吗？欺凌发生的年龄越来越年轻，你认为欺凌是一个真正存在的问题吗？作为教育委员，你能做什么？你如何看目前安省对学生的评估制度，你觉得有什么可以改进的地方？学院和大学毕业生很难找到他们专业领域的工作，你认为安省的教育系统成功吗？你认为真正的问题在哪里？
该团体还邀请了这10位候选人参加了一个候选人论坛，其中8位参加了这个论坛，讲述了他们的政纲和对教育议题的看法。
以下是其中5位候选人对安省华人参政会问卷的回答：
Kuga Kasilingam
Q1. How do you see the school trustee role to represent constituent ?
The School trustees are in the middle with the Parents/Constituents on one side and the Ministry on the other. Then there is the Municipalities which collects property tax from residents and own school lands, so they too have a say. It is hence an enormous task needing greater diplomacy and balancing act. The trustees should act collectively, beyond their political Ward bounderies, in the larger interest of the students. The Toronto bashing attitude by late 90s Government should not continue. The Trustes job in other Municipalities with less population and more grants, is definitely easier, and the compensation should be equitable.
Q2. Do you see the value of EQAO exam ? What change do you propose if any ?
This question is in a way related to question 9 where it is agreed that the evaluation process varies from teacher to teacher and from school to school. Hence it is inevitable to have a system of common evaluation across the Board or even better across the Province. The only practical evaluation available at the moment is EQAO to make comparison of performance from school to school and year to year. If necessary, the Maths and Language questions can also incorporate science and a separate science evaluation could be brought in at higher levels.
Q3. What is the Maths challenge at school and what do you think can help ?
This statistics, in a way contradicts with the Fullan report mentioned in question 10, which states numeracy has improved. However, notwithstanding the statistics, is is generally agreed that the Maths standard is not upto the level wished, and the many ad hoc programs introduced only make the students guinea pigs for research purposes. We should have a department specifically for numeracy with well trained Maths teachers instead of asking some less occupied teacher to conduct classes by studying the Maths handbook. In topics like Maths, once the student is messed up at an early age its difficult to fix later. Special and separate Maths teachers should be introduced at least from grade 5 onwards.
Q4. What do you see the main challenge of new sex education curriculum roll out ? What can you do to arbitrate the gap being a school trustee ?
This question is not asking our opinion on the sex ed curriculum but how can we arbitrate the gab. Its true that since 1998 the curriculum development is taken out of the Board’s purview and the trustees can do nothing but just voice the concerns of their constituents and hope something would change. Not only immigrants but also non immigrants such as those following catholic faith are concerned too. The main fear of the parent is pushing the topic of sexual orientation at the age when they cannot legally marry. It is learnt that TDSB has lost around 2000 students this year due to this and we should not lose more and more students to Private schools. Parents should have the right to opt out, if they have valid reasons.
Q5. What is your opinion on student in deciding academic or applied stream ? What do you see school board can do to resolve this gap ?
There is also the Apex Stream, which of course is not a student's choice. Yes it is overwhelming for a 8 grade student to choose- not only the streams but also things like semester Vs non-semester, home school Vs optional attendance and the like. Many parents including myself can attest to that. The applied stream meant to give more weightage to job readiness and entry into colleges as oppose to Universities. Many administratoes opine that it is easier to manage effectively schools with only one stream. It is better to separate the streams in the last two years -ie grade 11 and 12 as the students would be better equipped to make a rational decision by that time.
Q6. If TDSB specializes school under utilization to larger boundary such as French Immersion, gifted program,What program do you think TDSB shall specialize ?
While there are 130 schools under 65% capacity there are also TDSB schools numbering 147 which are 100% or more utilized. Most of the under utilization is inelementary schools where they have boundary limits preventing adjoining communities from attending. The population is constantly changing , moving up and down but once the school is closed and the building goes into dis-maintenance, its impossible to put it back. City re-vitalization projects too contribute to this. Once people are moved out by the city it is unlikely they would return once they made roots in the new place..
Q7. Do you think more homework will help student acquiring more & deeper learning ?
I d o n ’ t h i n k s o . W h i l e h o m e w o r k s h o u l d h e l p t o develop study habit and routine, it should not become a punishment and shouldn't bring negative connotations into the child’s mind. Teachers too not in uniformity in giving assigments, so the student should not be forced to spend more time on one subject at the expense of another. Moreover each child is different and some can cope more work load than others. Home time should be evenly distributed among, studies, play, entertainment, artistic adventures as well as family time. Later in School, they will would have developed their own routine and also have learnt their peak performance time.
Q8. Bully age get younger. What do you see is the real issue ? What can you do as a trustee on this issue ?
These are exceptional occurrences and should not be treated as norms. They might be from a problem home, and that should be identified and assistance given by the appropriate Organizations and social workers. Children should be educated on anti bullying as soon as they enter the School system. Suspending 8 year olds would only punish their parents and make the situation worse. If the problem persists, there are other avenues available in the system such as special classes and alternative school.
Q9. What is your opinion on the Ontario student evaluation ? What do you think can improve the fairness of the current evaluation scheme ?
For a Parent, providing the marks as opposed to grades, is helpful in getting a better idea of the kid’s performance as the comments or evaluations are riddled with technical jargon and mostly copied word to word from the handbook. Moreover it is of lessor use for immigrant parents who are just improving theirEnglish and cannot understand the evaluation. The marks along with a short comment and/or recommendation would be most helpful rather than a long paragraph.. Interestingly this is connected to question 2 on EQAO, showing the necessity to have a Board wise eveluation, as we see no uniformity in giving marks which could vary from teacher to teacher and school to school.
Q10. College and Univeristy graduate unable to find job they study for. Do you see Ontario education successful ? What do you see is the real issue ?
The real issue is that the Student, when graduating, also comes with a big student loan, so they have to find a job fast, which might or might not be in the field they specialized. Some might even have started a family by then and thus forced to get into underemployment. The course fees and book prices are going up every year thus increasing their debt burden. Another related issue is some institutions do credit checking from job applicants, and a new graduate with student loan, credit card, car loan debts etc, is very unlikely to carry a good credit score.
Aasia Khatoon
Q1. How do you see the school trustee role to represent constituent ?
School Board Trustee is a very important position. It deals with our children and our youth. Unlike the Director of Education Trustees are answerable to their constituents. I will work with other 21 Trustees on becoming more proactive and working closely with the Director of Education and the Minister.
Q2. Do you see the value of EQAO exam ? What change do you propose if any ?
To me we cannot just move away from EQAO at the moment. I believe in consultative meetings between all the stake holders, which include but are not limited to province, board, parents, focus groups and unions, to determine how to make EQAO better and include testing of other subjects like arts.
Q3. What is the Maths challenge at school and what do you think can help ?
I will sit down with (Trustee Ward 19) Smith the principal of school Aldo Petrucci to find out how they did it and then try to implement it in Ward 21 an other Wards. In our own last Parents Council Meeting at Tom Long Boat, Aaliyah Treasurer of Parents Council suggested making Maths & Arts book clubs. These are the things I will start with. I will sit down with David (Trustee Ward 19) Smith and the principal of school Aldo Petrucci to find out how they did it and then try to implement it in Ward 21 and other Wards. In our own last Parents Council Meeting at Tom Long Boat, Aaliyah Treasurer of Parents Council suggested making Maths & Arts book clubs. These are the things I will start with.
Q4. What do you see the main challenge of new sex education curriculum roll out ?
What can you do to arbitrate the gap being a school trustee ?
The majority of parents, grandparents and guardians in Ward 21 are very clear on this issue. We say “NO” to the new irresponsible sex education curriculum. It is being portrayed as if it is some sort of a religious issue. I and others in Ward 21 are very clear we consider it not to be age appropriate at all. We in Ward 21 will only work together in its reversal.
Q5. What is your opinion on student in deciding academic or applied stream ? What do you see school board can do to resolve this gap ?
A research project at a C.W. Jefferys Collegiate Institute in North York high school that urged struggling students to take academic-level courses in Grade 9 English and geography instead of the lower-level “applied” classes — and, in the end, boosted pass rates, stated in a report in 2015. Jefferys Principal Monday Gala said staff got on board with the idea of offering “inclusive classes,” and the pass rate for those students was higher in the academic level than it had typically been at the applied level
More Toronto public high schools will limit “streaming” of students into so-called applied and academic courses following a decision by a board committee in October 2015, to expand successful pilot projects. By 2015 six schools are involved in the pilot project which continues this year. By next year, Runnymede Collegiate will only offer academic English in Grade 9.To me we need to further study in the coming years the success and result of these pilot projects.
To me we need to further study in the coming years the success and result of these pilot projects
Q6. If TDSB specializes school under utilization to larger boundary such as French Immersion, gifted program, What program do you think TDSB shall specialize ?
There are many other ways that we can utilize the school. We can have afterschool programs. We can use the premises for community events and let people hire the premises for functions which can be as small as holding birthday parties to even conventions or receptions. Schools are the nearest and most accessible place for any community, this gives them tremendous advantage. Many businesses in the locality will not mind providing sponsorships. I know many businesses who just want to get involved and contribute to their community in Ward 21 (city Wards 41 & 42). There are many a parents who are just waiting to get involved. We can even hold language classes that government offers to newcomers as many newcomers when immigrating have children, this will be the best place to hold such classes for these newcomers.
School is a hub for the entire community and we can do so many things that if I start writing them here I will take many a pages to write these positives. Somebody just needs to take this responsibility and then see the magic. I am that trustee who will make all this happen and that is my promise. Again as my children are in the same public school system and if the system works for them it will work for everyone. The school does not need to close at all, period.
Q7. Do you think more homework will help student acquiring more & deeper learning ?
Studies suggest that some homework does help students to achieve but (1) only in the case of some children, (2) only for a reasonable period of time and (3) only if the homework is meaningful and engaging and if it requires active thinking and learning.
Research suggests that, with two exceptions, homework for elementary children is not beneficial and does not boost achievement levels. The first exception is in the case of a student who is struggling to complete classroom tasks. The second is when students are preparing for a test.
Q8. Bully age get younger. What do you see is the real issue ? What can you do as a trustee on this issue ?
The School Resource Officer (SRO) program launched in 2008 placed uniformed police officers into Toronto schools needs to be further strengthened. We need more guardian angels like
Constable Jaime Knox who knows the neighbourhoods she polices well, helping out the most vulnerable as she goes about her job. Knox implemented two highly successful programs in the
east end Scarborough school. “Sisterhood” addresses female-on-female bullying in a proactive manner and “Guide to Pride” helps disadvantaged young people become leaders and positive role models in their school and the community.In schools like reading buddies we can have safety buddies. We need to involve parents, grandparents and guardians in this issue by making Parent Councils more proactive. As in most school bullying takes place in areas that are less supervised by adults, such as onthe school bus, in the student cafeteria, in restrooms, hallways and locker rooms. Strategies focusing on these areas should be devised.
Have a bully hotline, bully box. Give bullies constructive tasks such as tutoring other students, involved in sporting activities, to occupy them during release times and counselling.
Q9. What is your opinion on the Ontario student evaluation ? What do you think can improve the fairness of the current evaluation scheme ?
To me for every child the path is from Elementary to Secondary and from Secondary to Post-Secondary Education. We want the students from TDSB to move to colleges and universities. Thus we should involve colleges and universities in devising evaluation for our TDSB children.
We need to implement strategies that will provide our TDSB students the skills that colleges and universities need. So the evaluation and marks should be based on keeping this in mind. To me career guidance is very important. An evaluation should be made on each student’s strengths. I
know it will require additional cost and time in the beginning but in future it will bear better fruits and be more cost effective. Example my eldest daughter is very good in studies while my son and youngest daughter are good in sports. These things need to be identified/ evaluated/ marked from the very beginning. With consultations between teachers, counsellors and parents, grandparents and guardians on such markings it will greatly help in successful evaluation of our children in the long run and that is what I strongly believe.
Q10. College and University graduate unable to find job they study for. Do you see Ontario education successful ? What do you see is the real issue ?
The most important role here is to be played by the respected governments and their fiscal policies in this regard. They are the best judges of which sectors of the economy will grow more in future as they are the ones to make the investment policies and they decide where to spend in capital expenditure. Accordingly our students should be guided properly with good career planning tools so they can choose the right courses and be more employable and successful in their future.Also the government should provide concessions during unforeseen contingencies. Example the Canadian Oil Sector is declining due to global decrease in oil prices.
Here the former students who have not been laid off but still have student loans to pay their loans should be written off so they can immediately go in to further studies if required for another job in demand. Also the students who were currently studying subjects that were related to oil industry.
Now that it has lost its demand but the student in this situation is stuck. He has taken student loan already is half way through his/ her studies and will spend more money on completion of studies.
Geroge Lin
Q1. How do you see the school trustee role to represent constituent ?
The school trustee is responsible to bring to the board table the needs and point of view of their local constituents. D irect quote from B ill 177: “Parent engagement is acritical component of an effective school system, and the active role of parents is a key factor in student achievement.” Combined, this means a trustee must consult with parents in the community when making decisions on policy direction. I value this principle and I valuethe engagement of community members with regards to the education of students
Q2. Do you see the value of EQAO exam ?
What change do you propose if any ? EQAO exams are essential to monitoring the success and achievements of students in accordance with provincial standards. EQAO exams provide data that inform teachers, parents, and students, and if elected, it will also inform my decision making. For example, 2013-2014 EQAO results point to a trend of declining math skill and a lack of involvement in after school activities from children. One big change I would propose is to make the data released by the EQAO more user-friendly and accessible so that more people are aware of it and can use it.
Q3. What is the Maths challenge at school and what do you think can help ?
Children are not receiving the tutorship and assistance they need from a young age. Math Help helps Grade 7-10, but EQAO measures Grade 3 and 6 Math level. According to EQAO 2013-2014 results, only 52% of Grade 6 students check their work for mistakes and 40% use a calculator. Children are taking shortcuts whenever possible and this is not good for learning the fundamentals of Math. EQAO results of whether they like math show that 38% of TDSB Grade 3 students answered sometimes, never, or did not answer. This is a problem of attitude and motivation. I am very keen on addressing this through increased engagement in a school setting and peer mentorship
Q4. What do you see the main challenge of new sex education curriculum roll out ? What can you do to arbitrate the gap being a school trustee ?
Many parents are concerned of the education their children are receiving and rightfully so. Kathleen Wynneshould have consulted the many grass root and lobby organizations against the new education curriculum. Ifelected, I will meet and discuss in good faith with these groups and these parents, and make sure their voice is heard during meetings. I will be the bridge between the community and the board to ensure information exchange and mutual understanding.
Q5. What is your opinion on student in deciding academic or applied stream ? What do you see school board can do to resolve this gap ?
This issue points to the problem of attitudes and motivations. I want to create an environment that allows children to learn safely and happily. They need guidance and positive reinforcement. These are things I seek to bring to the TDSB. So that when they come to deciding applied or academic, they will be confident and motivated to work harder and pursue academic. Trustees can only make policy direction decisions, so changing attitudes is something that can be done from a policy level
Q6. If TDSB specializes school under utilization to larger boundary such as French Immersion, gifted program, What program do you think TDSB shall specialize ?
Children benefit from increased opportunities and dynamic learning environments. French Immersion and Gifted are both very important contributors to developing a child’s self -esteem and providing them with the tools (skills and attitudes) to be prepared in the future. More importantly, each community is unique in their needs and I will consult with community members and leaders on what program should be introduced to the Rouge River area.
Q7. Do you think more homework will help student acquiring more & deeper learning ? More homework will not help student to acquire deeper learning. It will only create situations where their attitude towards school will decline and this against my platform. Deeper learning can occur without the need for “more” learning and more homework. This takes place through actively being engaged in the homework they are already assigned, having a role-model to aspire to be, and having a positive attitude about school. Adding more homework will create more frustration, make those students who are already struggling give up, and create situations where children will find shortcuts or hide homework.
Q8. Bully age get younger. What do you see is the real issue ?
What can you do as a trustee on this issue ? The most important thing for young children especially is to not label them or punish them too severely. The consequences of labelling them or kicking them out of school is that they will not get better. They will spend more time out of a structured, learning setting and they will resent school, eventually many of these students drop out. Respect and understanding is key. TDSB should emphasize to children the consequences of their actions. Physical and sexual harassment is often the result of a lack of respect or the inability to act appropriately in a social situation. Peer mentorship lets children seek guidance from their older peers who can give them practical and relevant knowledge.
Q9. What is your opinion on the Ontario student evaluation ? What do you think can improve the fairness of the current evaluation scheme ?
Schools teach children academic skills – math, English, history, science. But school also is a crucial environment where children develop and train their social and emotional skills. My opinion on the Ontario student evaluation is that it is impossible to have a completely standardized marking scheme that all teachers adhere to from school to school. Students need to be prepared from a young age to maintain good relations with their teachers, to be ambitious, driven, and motivated. These qualities are separate from academic qualities of being analytical, intelligent, and perceptive. Marks are based on academic merit, but having social awareness and skills have an impact on these marks.
Q10. College and Univeristy graduate unable to find job they study for. Do you see Ontario education successful ? What do you see is the real issue ? I think this statistic shows just how successful the Ontario education has been. The average literacy and numeracy among students have increased, more students are finishing high school, and more studentsare pursuing continued education through university, college, or a trade. This just means an ever-increasing standard expectation of entry-level workers. If more people are qualified, this means more demand for jobs, but the supply of jobs has not kept up with this growing workforce and so it is competitive and many people cannot find jobs. This issue is not a trustee issue.
Dwight Mclean
Q1. How do you see the school trustee role to represent constituent ?
I see the role as Trustee to represent all people in theriding as equally as education is equal opportunity
Q2. Do you see the value of EQAO exam ? What change do you propose if any?
We all have skills attributable to society. If we are to be evaluated on some areas of skills development, this should be all across the board.Some skills far outweigh others, so evaluation on some aspects of skills does not reflect the true characteristics of anindividual.The areas that have been eliminated from the exam should be re-introduced offering a equal playing field.
Q3. What is the Maths challenge at school and what do you think can help ?
There can be a variety of reasons. Lack of teacher skills, lack of student learning abilities/interests due to evolving avenues which require new skills. List goes on.
Q4. What do you see the main challenge of new sex education curriculum roll out ? What can you do to arbitrate the gap being a school trustee ?
Haven't heard it all in detail, however there are people who oppose to this curriculum. I will listen to their input, should change be of utmost interest, then the work has to be done. At the primary school age students should be notified of their strong and weak skill sets, with the option to know other avenues are available to them to improve on both strong and weak skill sets.
Q5. What is your opinion on student in deciding academic or applied stream ? What do you see school board can do to resolve this gap ?
To me we need to further study in the coming years the success and result of these pilot projects A research project at a C.W. Jefferys Collegiate Institute in North York high school that urged struggling students to take academic-level courses in Grade 9 English and geography instead of the lower-level “ applied” classes — and, in the end, boosted pass rates, stated in a report in 2015. Jefferys Principal Monday Gala said staff got on board with the idea of offering “ inclusive classes,” and the pass rate for those students was higher in the academic level than it had typically been at the applied level Grade 8 students must choose applied or academic streams for grade 9 before they even have any experience with high school and are undecided about their career path. Students in the applied stream have fewer options in the future and are less likely to graduate. I will support ending the practice of dividing students in grade 9. We need a better level of communication relationship.
Q6. If TDSB specializes school under utilization to larger boundary such as French Immersion, gifted program, What program do you think TDSB shall specialize ?
TDSB shall specialize in regions where there is a strong demand for the language in the immediate area(s).
Q7. Do you think more homework will help student acquiring more & deeper learning ?
With an ever changing demographic, it is in the best interests of students to be aware of their surroundings in terms of How they think. As a man thinks , so is he. They should also be aware they have household responsibilities, not just home work; creating homefront balance.
Q8. Bully age get younger. What do you see is the real issue ? What can you do as a trustee on this issue ? We see this act as jealousy. We are not aware of what the bully's thoughts are, we need to investigate. Let them know their are differences, and we ought to educate them on what they are, so they an easily adapt to society.
Q9. What is your opinion on the Ontario student evaluation ? What do you think can improve the fairness of the current evaluation scheme ?
If all areas of evaluation is included, we will better be able to access the lack or need or area(s) of improvement to be addressed.
Q10. College and Univeristy graduate unable to find job they study for. Do you see Ontario education successful ? What do you see is the real issue ?
Anything over 50% is successful, in my opinion; others may differ. The real issue is there are more positions in other areas students are not trained for, and ought to be trained to further succession rate of education.. Dwight Mclean.
Aasia Khatoon
Q1. How do you see the school trustee role to represent constituent ?
School Board Trustee is a very important position. It deals with our children and our youth. Unlike the Director of Education Trustees are answerable to their constituents. I will work with other 21 Trustees on becoming more proactive and working closely with the Director of Education and the Minister.
Q2. Do you see the value of EQAO exam ? What change do you propose if any ?
To me we cannot just move away from EQAO at the moment. I believe in consultative meetings between all the stake holders, which include but are not limited to province, board, parents, focus groups and unions, to determine how to make EQAO better and include testing of other subjects like arts.
Q3. What is the Maths challenge at school and what do you think can help ?
I will sit down with (Trustee Ward 19) Smith the principal of school Aldo Petrucci to find out how they did it and then try to implement it in Ward 21 an other Wards. In our own last Parents Council Meeting at Tom Long Boat, Aaliyah Treasurer of Parents Council suggested making Maths & Arts book clubs. These are the things I will start with. I will sit down with David (Trustee Ward 19) Smith and the principal of school Aldo Petrucci to find out how they did it and then try to implement it in Ward 21 and other Wards. In our own last Parents Council Meeting at Tom Long Boat, Aaliyah Treasurer of Parents Council suggested making Maths & Arts book clubs. These are the things I will start with.
Q4. What do you see the main challenge of new sex education curriculum roll out? What can you do to arbitrate the gap being a school trustee ?
The majority of parents, grandparents and guardians in Ward 21 are very clear on this issue. We say “NO” to the new irresponsible sex education curriculum. It is being portrayed as if it is some sort of a religious issue. I and others in Ward 21 are very clear we consider it not to be age appropriate at all. We in Ward 21 will only work together in its reversal.
Q5. What is your opinion on student in deciding academic or applied stream? What do you see school board can do to resolve this gap ?
A research project at a C.W. Jefferys Collegiate Institute in North York high school that urged struggling students to take academic-level courses in Grade 9 English and geography instead of the lower-level “applied” classes — and, in the end, boosted pass rates, stated in a report in 2015. Jefferys Principal Monday Gala said staff got on board with the idea of offering “inclusive classes,” and the pass rate for those students was higher in the academic level than it had typically been at the applied level
More Toronto public high schools will limit “streaming” of students into so-called applied and academic courses following a decision by a board committee in October 2015, to expand successful pilot projects. By 2015 six schools are involved in the pilot project which continues this year. By next year, Runnymede Collegiate will only offer academic English in Grade 9.To me we need to further study in the coming years the success and result of these pilot projects.
To me we need to further study in the coming years the success and result of these pilot projects
Q6. If TDSB specializes school under utilization to larger boundary such as French Immersion, gifted program, What program do you think TDSB shall specialize ?
There are many other ways that we can utilize the school. We can have afterschool programs. We can use the premises for community events and let people hire the premises for functions which can be as small as holding birthday parties to even conventions or receptions. Schools are the nearest and most accessible place for any community, this gives them tremendous advantage. Many businesses in the locality will not mind providing sponsorships. I know many businesses who just want to get involved and contribute to their community in Ward 21 (city Wards 41 & 42). There are many a parents who are just waiting to get involved. We can even hold language classes that government offers to newcomers as many newcomers when immigrating have children, this will be the best place to hold such classes for these newcomers.
School is a hub for the entire community and we can do so many things that if I start writing them here I will take many a pages to write these positives. Somebody just needs to take this responsibility and then see the magic. I am that trustee who will make all this happen and that is my promise. Again as my children are in the same public school system and if the system works for them it will work for everyone. The school does not need to close at all, period.
Q7. Do you think more homework will help student acquiring more & deeper learning ?
Studies suggest that some homework does help students to achieve but (1) only in the case of some children, (2) only for a reasonable period of time and (3) only if the homework is meaningful and engaging and if it requires active thinking and learning.
Research suggests that, with two exceptions, homework for elementary children is not beneficial and does not boost achievement levels. The first exception is in the case of a student who is struggling to complete classroom tasks. The second is when students are preparing for a test.
Q8. Bully age get younger. What do you see is the real issue ? What can you do as a trustee on this issue ?
The School Resource Officer (SRO) program launched in 2008 placed uniformed police officers into Toronto schools needs to be further strengthened. We need more guardian angels like
Constable Jaime Knox who knows the neighbourhoods she polices well, helping out the most vulnerable as she goes about her job. Knox implemented two highly successful programs in the
east end Scarborough school. “Sisterhood” addresses female-on-female bullying in a proactive manner and “Guide to Pride” helps disadvantaged young people become leaders and positive role models in their school and the community.In schools like reading buddies we can have safety buddies. We need to involve parents, grandparents and guardians in this issue by making Parent Councils more proactive. As in most school bullying takes place in areas that are less supervised by adults, such as onthe school bus, in the student cafeteria, in restrooms, hallways and locker rooms. Strategies focusing on these areas should be devised.
Have a bully hotline, bully box. Give bullies constructive tasks such as tutoring other students, involved in sporting activities, to occupy them during release times and counselling
Q9. What is your opinion on the Ontario student evaluation ? What do you think can improve the fairness of the current evaluation scheme ?
To me for every child the path is from Elementary to Secondary and from Secondary to Post-Secondary Education. We want the students from TDSB to move to colleges and universities. Thus we should involve colleges and universities in devising evaluation for our TDSB children.
We need to implement strategies that will provide our TDSB students the skills that colleges and universities need. So the evaluation and marks should be based on keeping this in mind. To me career guidance is very important. An evaluation should be made on each student’s strengths. I
know it will require additional cost and time in the beginning but in future it will bear better fruits and be more cost effective. Example my eldest daughter is very good in studies while my son and youngest daughter are good in sports. These things need to be identified/ evaluated/ marked from the very beginning. With consultations between teachers, counsellors and parents, grandparents and guardians on such markings it will greatly help in successful evaluation of our children in the long run and that is what I strongly believe.
Q10. College and University graduate unable to find job they study for. Do you see Ontario education successful ? What do you see is the real issue ?
The most important role here is to be played by the respected governments and their fiscal policies in this regard. They are the best judges of which sectors of the economy will grow more in future as they are the ones to make the investment policies and they decide where to spend in capital expenditure. Accordingly our students should be guided properly with good career planning tools so they can choose the right courses and be more employable and successful in their future.Also the government should provide concessions during unforeseen contingencies. Example the Canadian Oil Sector is declining due to global decrease in oil prices.
Here the former students who have not been laid off but still have student loans to pay their loans should be written off so they can immediately go in to further studies if required for another job in demand. Also the students who were currently studying subjects that were related to oil industry.
Now that it has lost its demand but the student in this situation is stuck. He has taken student loan already is half way through his/ her studies and will spend more money on completion of studies. |
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