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McGuinty Government provides
Funding for New Textbooks and Learning Resources for Thousands of Young
Students IN Huron & Bruce -
January19, 2007
Clinton — Students in Grades 4 to 6 in Huron and Bruce schools will
benefit from new textbooks and learning resources this school year
thanks to a $ 226,941. investment by the McGuinty government, said Carol
Mitchell MPP Huron-Bruce..
“I am delighted that we are able to put these new textbooks and
resources into Huron and Bruce classrooms“, said Carol Mitchell, MPP.
“We’re making sure that our teachers have the tools they need to teach,
and that our students have the resources they need to learn.” Carol
visited Turnberry Public School and Kincardine Township Tiverton Public
Schools to make the announcements.
Bluewater District School Board will receive $ 96,719 and the Avon
Maitland District School Board will receive $ 88,748. Bruce Grey
Catholic District School Board received $ 17,641 and the Huron-Perth
District School Board received $ 23,833.
The $10 million provincewide investment is expected to benefit about
half a million students in Grades 4 to 6 across Ontario.
Studies show that students who have greater access to resources that
interest them will develop a greater passion for reading and learning.
The funding will help school boards purchase textbooks and other
learning resources, such as magazines, computer software and multi-media
resources, including CD-ROMs and DVDs. Earlier this year, the McGuinty
government also provided $15 million for library books.
"This is not just about putting books on desks, but about making sure
our students have the tools they need to learn,” said Education Minister
Kathleen Wynne. “Every school board in the province will benefit from
this investment.”
The investment is part of the McGuinty government’s commitment to
improving literacy and numeracy achievement and providing students in
Grade 4 to 6 with the learning resources they need to succeed. This
funding is in addition to the $525 million provided annually for
textbooks, learning materials and classroom supplies.
In 2005-06, 64 per cent of Ontario Grade 3 and 6 students met or
exceeded the provincial standard in reading, writing and math. This is a
10 percentage point increase from 54 per cent in 2002-03. The government
is committed to helping all students improve their learning in all
subject areas. The goal is to have 75 per cent of students meet the
provincial standard in reading, writing and math by 2008.
The Ontario government has invested in a number of initiatives to
support student achievement, including:
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Working with school boards to set student
achievement targets, develop improvement plans and identify
initiatives that will help improve student achievement;
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Supporting the Ontario Focused Intervention
Partnership which will provide a range of supports for all boards
and schools in general. Over 750 low-performing schools will
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have direct support for improvement in student
achievement;
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Sharing best practices through the Schools on the
Move: Lighthouse Program. The 23 selected schools have demonstrated
continuous improvement and/or success in challenging circumstances
over a three-year period and will share their successful
research-based practices with schools across the provinces. Over the
next two years, 100 schools will be identified.
“We are helping our young students in Huron and Bruce
develop a solid foundation in literacy and numeracy, and lay the
groundwork for future success,” said Carol Mitchell, MPP.
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For further information
Carol Mitchell, MPP
Huron-Bruce
519 482-5630 |
