Unique Parent Project Results in Framework For Pro - 2005-04-25 at 08:21
Minister Kennedy Responds to Parents' Call For Provincial Voice
Unique Parent Project Results in Framework For Provincial Policy
TORONTO, April 25 /CNW/ - A strong voice for parents throughout the province is key to improving student success, Education Minister Gerard Kennedy said today in response to the final report of the Parent Voice in Education project. "For the first time in Ontario there will be a provincial policy to help parents engage in our publicly funded education system," said Kennedy. "Parents lead busy lives, and our new policy will make it easier for them to connect with schools, school boards and the Ministry of Education." A parental involvement policy is one of the recommendations of the Parent Voice in Education Project. In November, Kennedy established the Parent Voice in Education Project. This first of its kind project consisted of 20 parents representing a cross- section of parents from all regions of the province who have demonstrated expertise in parent leadership. This group took on the unique task of consulting with Ontario parents in their own communities. Eleven public meetings were held in eight communities and more than 1,150 submissions were received from parents and organizations. The final report is a testament to both the project group's dedication and to the commitment of Ontario's parents.
Recommendations include: - Provincial policy on parental involvement, - Stronger role and support for parents at the local and provincial level, - New Office of Parental Involvement within the ministry, - Advisory board of parents.
"Parents want their school councils to be effective," said Parent Voice in Education project chair Gabrielle Blais. "They wish to be able to contribute more on an individual level to the education of their children and the public education system as a whole." "Members of the project group did an exceptional job of reaching out to Ontario's parents in a short timeframe," said Kennedy. "I'd like to thank all of the members for lending their time and expertise to this important task, as well as everyone who participated in the consultations." Kathleen Wynne, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Education, supported the project group throughout the parent-driven process. "The tremendous response shows that parents want to be consulted on important issues affecting education so they can help their children succeed," said Wynne. Kennedy will continue consulting with parents and parent groups about the report to determine how they can become more engaged in the publicly funded education system. The final report is available at www.edu.gov.on.ca.
PARENTS' VOICES HEARD IN PROVINCEWIDE CONSULTATIONS
On November 6, Education Minister Gerard Kennedy appointed a group of 20 diverse and experienced parent group leaders, reflective of all regions of the province, to develop recommendations about how to strengthen the role of parents at all levels of Ontario's publicly funded education system. The team developed a discussion paper to facilitate input and held consultations to provide parents with an opportunity to share their ideas and learn about options for organizing parents. Eleven public meetings were held in eight communities across the province. More than 1,150 submissions were received from parents and organizations.
The results of these consultations are summarized in a report to the minister, which recommends the following: - The Minister of Education champion the important role of parental involvement in a child's education - A provincial parental involvement policy be developed that would provide clear direction to the Ministry of Education, school boards and local schools on steps needed to strengthen parental involvement - The establishment of an Office of Parental Involvement within the ministry to support the provincial parental involvement policy - The Ministry of Education's district offices support parental involvement and school council effectiveness at the school and board level - School boards take ownership of parental involvement by: i. establishing Parent Involvement Advisory Committees that would be chaired by a parent and would advise the Director of Education on how to increase parental involvement ii. ensuring that Directors of Education and principals have the proper supports to foster parental involvement at the school level iii. facilitating communications between school boards and councils - School councils focus on engaging parents and fostering parental involvement within their school community and - The Minister of Education establish an advisory board of parents, consisting of three parent representatives from each of six regions across the province, and would be selected by, and accountable to, parents through an open process.
The full report is available online at www.edu.gov.on.ca and www.ontarioparentcouncil.org.
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www.edu.gov.on.ca
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For further information: Contacts: Amanda Alvaro, Minister's Office, (416) 325-2632, (416) 509-5696 (cell); Wilma Davis, Communications Branch, (416) 325-6730; Public Inquiries: (416) 325-2929 or 1-800-387-5514, TTY: 1-800-263-2892
