Ontario narrows the academic gap by announcing summer learning plan for kids

BY PAUL JUNOR

The closure of all schools in Ontario has interrupted and disrupted the education of over two million students in public schools. To date over 200,000 teachers have been forced to work from home.

The Ministry of Education announced on May 19^th, 2020 their plan to ensure that students continue to engage in remote learning and to maintain learning in the summer. In a letter to the parents, the Minister of Education, Stephen Leece wrote, “We have heard from parents that there is a need to provide bridge programming and other gap closing initiatives during the fast-approaching summer period. We know that the learning loss that takes place every year over the summer can be a challenge when the school year resumes in September.”

This year the risk of summer learning is more pronounced. The fact that students have not been in a formal structured classroom for over two months makes it incumbent for them to narrow the academic gap and catch up on areas that they need help in.

Since the COVID-19 outbreak, the Ministry of Education has made online resources available. The focus was on Mathematics, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), and reading for elementary students, and on certain selective courses for secondary students. On May 19^th, 2020, the Ministry launched the second phase and the third phase of its online learning portal, which can be found at www.ontario.ca/learneathome.

In his letter to parents Minister Leece observes, “That is why we are providing new opportunities for students to continue learning over the summer. We also have announced Ontario’s Summer Learning Plan, which is a robust plan for summer learning opportunities including new programs and initiatives. I encourage you to discuss these options with your children to determine if there are opportunities to continue their learning over the summer.”

The Ontario Summer Learning Plan will take place over the months of July and August when students would be on their summer break from school. There are seven areas of focus that will be emphasized.  These include the following:

1. Expanded core programming which include courses that are normally offered in summer school.
2. Introduction of upgrading courses will enable students to improve their marks.

3.Targeted support for vulnerable students to ensure that they have access to non-credit ministry educational programs and leadership supports for students.

4. Focused programming for students with special education or mental health needs.
5. Communicating volunteer opportunities for students so that they can leverage virtual volunteer opportunities where possible.
6. Summer programming in Provincial and Demonstration Schools will focus on continued learning for our students with particular needs and specialized integrated programming.
7. Key concept mapping for next years learning, which will focus on compulsory high-demand and pre-requisite secondary courses.

The offer of new upgrading courses during the summer will be helpful for students who are in Grade 9-12 students who intend to pursue college or university programs. The ability to upgrade full-credit courses they have successfully completed (110 hours of course work) will enable students to earn higher marks by completing 55 hours of work.

The availability of specific learning supports for students with special education needs and mental health needs will involve a new two-week program in skills development, learning and regular maintenance of practice with extra time for students with autism.

The enhancement of the Learn At Home Portal brings greater accessibility to course offerings. In addition, students will be able to fulfil their community service graduation requirements virtually, through partnership opportunities with cross-government teams. Increased funding for expanded online and virtual mental supports will support students who are dealing with anxiety, stress, depression and other challenges.

There are benefits that students will gain from the Ontario’s Summer Learning Plan. It provides opportunities in traditional and non-traditional programming course upgrading, targeted programs for vulnerable students, or students with special or mental health needs and Indigenous students. The closure of summer camps and outdoor programs mean that many students who are home-bound will be able to take advantage of these options to expand their: academic, social, cognitive and intellectual skills.

There are still a lot of details that have to be ironed out in the next few weeks. The online courses that are available have been released and students should register as soon as possible. The Minister of Education expects that there will be more than double the number of students who will participate in this summer programming compared to past years.

The new virtual components of the summer learning will be gradually revealed, as it will follow strict protocols depending on when the emergency measures are lifted. There will be more resources available to students to help them that will focus on high-demand, prerequisite secondary courses, such as: Math, Science, Engish, and French.