Media.Knet.Ca

Ontario Press release ...

McGuinty Government Boosts Investment In Aboriginal Education - New Investment Will Benefit First Nation, Métis and Inuit Students

SAULT STE MARIE, ON, April 5 - The McGuinty government is supporting First Nation, Métis and Inuit students with a new grant that makes more than $5 million available for school boards in Northern Ontario, Minister Responsible for Aboriginal Affairs David Ramsay announced today.

"This is part of our government's ongoing commitment to work with Aboriginal organizations and communities to build a better future for First Nation, Métis and Inuit children and youth," said Ramsay. "The funding will provide enhanced, ongoing support for Aboriginal students."

As part of the 2007-08 education investment, a new grant - the $10.5 million First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education Supplement - has been introduced that will provide increased funding for school boards to offer Native Language and Native Studies courses, and support programs that assist Aboriginal students. The new supplement is in addition to $12.7 million invested in 2007 to support the implementation of the First Nation, Métis and Inuit Education Policy Framework.

"We have been increasing our investment in education over the past four years and we're seeing the results - class sizes are smaller, student achievement is on the rise and more students are graduating," said Wynne. "This new funding will help us create a school environment that encourages Aboriginal student engagement and achievement."

These investments are part of the Ontario government's Aboriginal Education Strategy to improve achievement for First Nation, Métis and Inuit students. The strategy was announced in January 2007 with an initial $6 million investment and the launch of the First Nation, Métis and Inuit Education Policy Framework, which will set the foundation for improving achievement among Aboriginal students in provincially funded schools.

The next step in the strategy will be a First Nation, Métis and Inuit Education Conference in November that will bring together educators to discuss putting the framework into practice in schools and boards. The conference will introduce new resources for teachers, and provide practical tools and strategies for educators that will help them support Aboriginal students in Ontario's publicly funded schools and increase awareness about Aboriginal histories, cultures and perspectives among all students.

"Ontario is committed to improving support for First Nation, Métis, and Inuit students in the publicly funded education system," said Ramsay. "We will continue to work with our partners to improve opportunities for First Nation, Métis and Inuit students."

Backgrounder
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUPPORTING ABORIGINAL STUDENT SUCCESS

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 Nation, Métis and Inuit students in provincially funded schools.

Aboriginal Education Strategy

In January 2007, the McGuinty government launched Ontario's new Aboriginal Education Strategy. The strategy will help support learning and achievement for Aboriginal students. In addition, it will help raise awareness about First Nation, 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.

Investments in Aboriginal Education

The Ontario government's education investment for 2007-8 included the new First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education Supplement. This new $10.5 million grant will:

•  Provide increased funding for Native Languages programs offered in any of the seven Native Languages recognized in the Ontario curriculum
• Provide increased support for boards to offer any of the 10 native studies courses available in the Ontario curriculum
• Offer additional funding to support programs that assist Aboriginal students.

The new supplement is in addition to $12.7 million invested in 2007 to support the implementation of the First Nation, Métis and Inuit Education Policy Framework. This funding is part of the government's education investment of $18.3 billion in 2007-08 - an increase of $781 million over last year. Since 2002-03, funding has increased by $3.5 billion - a 24 per cent increase, or the equivalent of an increase of over $2,000 per student.

The Ontario government has also provided:

• $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 Nation, Métis and Inuit Education Policy Framework

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

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.

High school programs translated on website

In addition, information about new programs in Ontario's high schools is now available online in five Aboriginal languages - Algonquin, Ojibwe, Oji-Cree, Mohawk and Swampy Cree. The website (www.ontario.ca/6ways) is also available in English, French and 24 other languages.

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

-30-

For further information: Michelle Despault, Minister's Office, Ministry of Education, (416) 212-3747; Patricia MacNeil, Communications Branch, (416) 325-2676; Anne-Marie Flanagan, Minister's Office, Ontario Secretariat for Aboriginal Affairs, (416) 327-0654; Public Inquiries: (416) 325-2929 or 1-800-387-5514; TTY: 1-800-263-2892