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Primary Students benefiting
from smaller class sizes -
June 18, 2007
Nearly All Kindergarten To Grade 3 Classes Now Have 23 Or Fewer Students
KINCARDINE — Students in kindergarten to Grade 3 are receiving more
individual attention from their teachers now that 93 per cent of
Ontario’s primary classrooms have 23 or fewer students, Huron-Bruce MPP
Carol Mitchell and Education Minister Kathleen Wynne announced today.
“When our government came to office, many primary classrooms were
bursting at the seams and teachers were overwhelmed,” said Mitchell. “We
know that young students who receive more individual attention have
stronger skills in reading, writing and math, and are more successful in
the future. That’s why we funded thousands of additional teachers to
significantly reduce the size of kindergarten to Grade 3 classes.”
Nearly two-thirds (65 per cent) of Ontario primary classes have 20 or
fewer students this year compared to less than one-third (31 per cent)
in 2003-04. This reduction in primary class sizes was made possible by
funding 3,600 additional teachers over the past three years. Next year,
the government will fund another 1,200 teachers to shrink class sizes
even further.
The results have been significant at the local school boards. The
percentage of primary classes with 23 or fewer students has increased at
the:
The percentage of primary classes with 20 or fewer
students has increased at the:
This was made possible through government funding for
37 primary teachers over the past three years. Thirteen more primary
teachers will be funded next year to continue decreasing class sizes.
“I want to thank parents, teachers, students, principals and other
educators in Kincardine who have partnered with us to make this positive
impact in our local elementary schools,” said Wynne. “Working together
we are reaching every student, helping them succeed in school and better
preparing them for high school and beyond.”
This is just one more example of how, working
together, Ontarians have achieved results in publicly funded education.
Other examples at the local school boards include:
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Increasing the percentage of Grade 3 and 6
students achieving the provincial standard in reading, writing and
math at the:
- Bluewater District School Board from 50 to 61 per cent
- Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board from 52 to 63 per cent.
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Adding 17 specialist elementary teachers over the
past two years (plus four more next year) to provide a full range of
learning including physical education, arts, music and drama
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Adding 20 Student Success Teachers over the past
two years (plus four more next year) who identify and support high
school students who need extra help to succeed, provide more options
for learning and monitor student progress.
“If we keep working, building and dreaming together,
there is nothing we can't accomplish for our children,” added Wynne. “We
are ensuring a brighter future for Ontario by putting students first
today.”
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Contact:
Carol Mitchell,
MPP Huron-Bruce
519-482-5630 |
