HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1998-04-01, Page 19Times -Advocate, April 1, 1998 a 19
utting Kids First.
HOW ONTARIO IS KEEPING KIDS FRONT AND CENTRE
BY SPENDING MORE IN THE CLASSROOM.
The 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 \vitt (lo the most gocxl: in the classroom with teachers and kids. •
At the same time, it puts an :rid to the out -of -control taxing and spending by school
boards that has permitted unacceptable increases in education property taxes.
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)
NON -CLASSROOM SPENDING
We're spending less on bureaucrats and other
non -teaching staff and expenses:
* 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
FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, CLASSROOM SPENDING WILL BE DEFINED AND PROTECTED FROM BEING
WHITTLED AWAY ON NON -CLASSROOM USE BY SCHOOL BOARDS.
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 sante educational needs, and the new 'Fair Funding
Formula' recognizes this through a variety of special grants. including over $l 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 sch(x)I board pay raises or public illations firms.
BIS THE GOVERNMENT CUTTING EDUCATION
SPENDING?
No. That's a myth. Education spending evil1 be stable at oyer
$13 billion for each of the next three ycats. 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 (i5'%, of total
education spending - while the percentage spent on
administration will go clown.
GI WILL 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 p>ote( (ed
under classroom spending.'
(tiler grants help kids who are at high risk of dropping Out. We will also help schools
%% kit special challenges. such as city schools \with Iots o: kids who speak neither English
nor French. and 1 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 lifelonng advantages afforded by early learning opportunities.
That's \why the government's new 'Fair Funding Formula' includes full funding of
tra(litiOIlai junior kitidergalten classes or other early learning programs based on local choices.
0 WILL EVERY SC1It/0I. 01 FER JUNIOR
KINDERGARTEN NOW?
Its op to them. 1 het Il hawe the funding to do so lint they'll
also ha\e the flexibility 10 offer an altetnatiwe earl\ lemming
program. Parents and Icx al 5(11001 110,1(15 will make the linal
(Ie( 15i011 on e'hi( h option twill 5(11e their needs 1)est.
Q: WILL CLASS SIZES GO UP?
Awerage nraxinnml class sizes have now been capped at 25 for
elemelit;ny school students and 22 for secondary school students.
1.1» goy el ssitl provide funding for additional teachers hired
to meet these new class size requirements.
0.
WON'T SCIIOOLS BECOME OVERCROWDED?
No. Schools are now funded on a per -pupil basis, so when
enrolment goes up. school funding goes up too. This funding
at) go to adding classes and 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