HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1998-04-01, Page 7
NON-CLASSROOM SPENDING CLASSROOM SPENDING
We're spending more on:
* Classroom teachers
* Supply teachers
* Teaching assistants
* Textbooks, pencils,
paper and supplies
* Computers
* Library & Guidance
* Professional &
Paraprofessional supports
(like school psychologists
and speech pathologists)
* Directors and senior
supervisory officers
* Board administration
* Trustees
* Instructional supervision
supervisory officers
* Instructional supervision
clerical/secretarial
* Instructional supervision
educator support staff
* Department heads
* Classroom consultants
* School operations
* Custodial and
maintenance services
We're spending less on bureaucrats and other
non-teaching staff and expenses:
FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, CLASSROOM SPENDING WILL BE DEFINED AND PROTECTED FROM BEING
WHITTLED AWAY ON NON-CLASSROOM USE BY SCHOOL BOARDS.
THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1, 1998. PAGE 7.
Putting Kids First.
HOW ONTARIO IS KEEPI\ G KIDS FRO NT
BY SPENDING MORE IN THE CLASSROOM.
AND CE\TRF,
1'he Government of Ontario has taken another step in reforming the educational system. With the new
'Fair Funding Formula,' classroom spending will increase in every school board next year.-By the year
2000 classroom spending will increase by $583 million. Meanwhile, spending on administration will go
down and funds will be reinvested where they will do the most good: in the classroom with teachers and
kids. At the same time, it puts an end to the out-of-control taxing and spending by school boards
that has permitted unacceptable increases in education property taxes.
PER-PUPIL GRANTS WILL LEVEL
THE PLAYING FIELD FOR ALL.
Each individual student will now be covered by a basic, universal grant, wherever he or she lives
in the province.
But not all students have the same educational needs, and the new 'Fair Funding Formula' recognizes
this through a variety of special grants, including over $1 billion for "special education." This
includes additional help for kids with learning disabilities and enrichment programs for gifted
children. These funds must be spent on "special education," not diverted to anything else - like school
board pay raises or public relations firms.
Other grants help kids who are at high risk of dropping out. We will also help schools with special
challenges, such as city schools with lots of kids who speak neither English nor French. and rural or
northern schools with their own special needs.
JUNIOR KINDERGARTEN OR
EARLY LEARNING GUARANTEES.
We believe - as do the early learning specialists we've consulted,- that every child in Ontario has the
right to the lifelong advantages afforded by early learning opportunities.
That's why the government's new 'Fair Funding .Formula' includes full funding of traditional junior
kindergarten classes or other early learning programs based on local choices.
EIS THE GOVERNMENT CUTTING EDUCATION SPENDING?
No. That's a myth. Education spending will be stable at over $13 billion
for each of the next three years. When combined with current pension
contributions this will total $14.4 billion in 1998/99. However. the
percentage of those funds spent on classroom education will go up -
from 61% to 65% of total education spending - while the percentage
spent on administration will go down.
WILLI TEACHERS GET LAID OFF?
By the year 2000; we expect an overall increase in the total number of
classroom teachers of approximately 3000, because funding levels for
teachers have gone up and are protected under'classroom spending:
[11 WILL EVERY SCHOOL OFFER JUNIOR
KINDERGARTEN NOW?
It's up to them. They'll have the funding to do so. But they'll also have
the flexibility to offer an alternative early learning program. Parents and
local school boards will make the final decision on which option will
serve their needs best.
la WILL CLASS SIZES GO UP?
Average maximum class sizes have now been capped at 25 for elementary
school students and 22 for secondary school students, The government will
provide funding for additional teachers hired to meet these new r lass swe
requirements.
El WON'T SCHOOLS BECOME OVERCROWDED?
No, Schools are now funded on a per-pupil basis, so when enroll] WI II 140,
up. school funding goes up too, This funding ran go in adding classes ;nut
teachers. and to additional school facilities.
The 'Fair Funding Formula' for education reform. Putting kids first.
For more information on Ontario's new student-focused funding, phone 1-800-837-1077 or visit www.edu.gov.on.ca
Ontario