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Ontario government press release ...

McGuinty Government Invests In New Strategy To Improve Aboriginal Student Achievement - First Nations, Métis And Inuit Students To Benefit

    SAULT STE. MARIE, ON, Jan. 23 /CNW/ - The Ontario government is launching an Aboriginal Education Strategy that includes a new education framework and an initial $6 million investment to improve achievement for First Nations, Métis and Inuit students, Education Minister Kathleen Wynne announced today.

    "We are committed to reaching every student," said Wynne. "And our new education strategy has been designed to help improve opportunities for First Nations, Métis and Inuit students - whether they live in remote areas or in urban centres."

    A key part of the strategy is the new First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education Policy Framework, which will set the foundation for improving achievement among Aboriginal students in provincially funded schools.

    "This new strategy is part of Ontario's new approach to building relationships with Aboriginal communities and creating a better future for First Nations, Métis and Inuit children and youth," said Minister Responsible for Aboriginal Affairs David Ramsay. "The framework is an important part of that strategy, as a foundation for improving opportunities for Aboriginal students."

    The framework includes plans to:

• Improve literacy and numeracy skills
• Increase the number of Aboriginal staff working in school boards
• Encourage more parents to get involved in their children's education
• Further integrate Aboriginal content and perspectives throughout the Ontario curriculum to increase knowledge and awareness among all students.

    "The Ontario government's new policy framework is a positive first step towards recognizing and meeting the educational needs of First Nations students within the Ontario school system," said Angus Toulouse, Ontario Regional Chief from Chiefs of Ontario. "We look forward to working with the Ontario government on the implementation of this framework."

    In addition to the framework, the Ontario government is investing $6 million to support capacity-building efforts within school boards and build partnerships with Aboriginal communities and organizations.

    "We are pleased that the Métis Nation was given the opportunity to provide feedback on the framework," said Tony Belcourt, President of the Métis Nation of Ontario. "It's great that this framework has the potential to help so many students achieve their future aspirations, and that it was given such broad consultation."

    "The new framework and accompanying funding is intended to provide support to the education system to improve the academic achievement of First Nations, Métis and Inuit students," said Mario Turco, Director of Education, Algoma District School Board. "This strategy will also benefit non-Aboriginal students as they learn more about the culture and perspectives of Aboriginal peoples in Ontario."

    In addition to the $6 million in funding, the McGuinty government has already invested more than $5 million in initiatives across the province that support Aboriginal student success, including:

• $2.3 million for Aboriginal Student-Focused Student Success Projects
• $650,000 annually for Alternative Secondary School Programs in Native Friendship Centres
• $50,000 to train teachers on Aboriginal perspectives in the revised elementary and secondary curriculum.

    "We are committed to strengthening Aboriginal voices and involvement in education, and to ensuring our First Nations, Métis and Inuit students have every opportunity for success," said Wynne. "By working with Aboriginal peoples and communities, we are delivering excellence in education for all of Ontario's students."

                              www.edu.gov.on.ca
                           www.ontario.ca/progress

Backgrounder - ABORIGINAL EDUCATION STRATEGY

    The Ontario government is dedicated to excellence in publicly funded education for all students and recognizes the need to develop specific strategies to meet the needs of Ontario's First Nations, Métis and Inuit students in provincially funded schools.

    Ontario's new Aboriginal Education Strategy will help support learning and achievement for Aboriginal students. The strategy will also help raise awareness about First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples' cultures, histories and perspectives in schools.

    The new strategy is in line with the commitments made in Ontario's New Approach to Aboriginal Affairs, released in spring 2005, which envisions prosperous and healthy Aboriginal communities that will create a better future for Aboriginal children and youth.

    Part of this new approach included a commitment to working together with Aboriginal organizations and communities to improve achievement among Aboriginal children and youth.

    Investment in Aboriginal Education

    The $6 million investment will provide funding for initiatives that support Aboriginal student success, such as:

• Regional capacity-building efforts within school boards
• Partnerships with Aboriginal communities and organizations to develop strategies to support Aboriginal student achievement
• A resource that summarizes expectations in the revised curriculum that incorporates perspectives of First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples
• Joint capacity building workshops with school boards, First Nations and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada on tuition agreements and education funding.

    This in addition to more than $5 million that has already been invested in initiatives across the province that support Aboriginal student success, including:

• $2.3 million for Aboriginal Student-Focused Student Success Projects
• $650,000 annually for Alternative Secondary School Programs in Native Friendship Centres
• $50,000 to train teachers on Aboriginal perspectives in the revised elementary and secondary curriculum

    First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education Policy Framework

    The First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education Policy Framework will be the foundation for delivering quality education to all First Nations, Métis and Inuit students in Ontario.

    The framework includes strategies for schools and school boards that will boost Aboriginal student achievement and close the gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students.

    These strategies include resources to support teaching strategies that are appropriate to Aboriginal learner needs, increasing the number of Aboriginal staff working in school boards, and improving literacy and numeracy skills among Aboriginal students.

    In addition, the framework sets out strategies to encourage more parent involvement, build capacity within school boards to build partnerships with Aboriginal communities and organizations, and to integrate First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples' histories, cultures and perspectives throughout the Ontario curriculum to increase knowledge and awareness among all students.

    Through regional consultations with school boards and school authorities, Aboriginal communities and organizations, and other education stakeholders, nearly 500 people provided feedback on the framework.

    As part of the Ontario government's Aboriginal Education Strategy, the framework and investment will help create a school environment that encourages Aboriginal student engagement and achievement.

For further information: Michelle Despault, Minister's Office, (416) 212-3747; Patricia MacNeil, Communications Branch, (416) 325-2676; Public Inquiries: (416) 325-2929 or 1-800-387-5514, TTY: 1-800-263-2892