Results of TDSB’s Mandatory E-learning Survey

In November, I seconded a motion to direct the TDSB to survey our communities about mandatory e-learning, which passed unanimously. The TDSB has now completed its survey of a random sample of parents/guardians and students, and all secondary school teachers, to better understand their views and level of support for the Government of Ontario’s plan for mandatory e-learning for all secondary students.

The results show that most students, parents/guardians and secondary school teachers do not support the government’s plan to make e-learning a mandatory requirement for graduation, nor do they believe that it will benefit students.

I felt it was important for our communities to have a chance to voice their concerns about this policy and for the results to be made transparent to our public.  The Toronto District School Board values the input of its school communities and will share this important information with the Ministry of Education.

I want to make it clear that the board is not against e-learning, but our survey found that there are significant concerns among students, parents and teachers relating to making e-learning course a mandatory requirement of graduation.   Our recent survey tells us that most students, parents/guardians and secondary school teachers believe that it will not benefit students. It is possible that our school communities may believe this because the government has not provided enough information about its e-learning plans or it has been poorly communicated. We fear that the lack of information on mandatory e-learning courses could harm our students’ achievement and well-being levels and, ultimately, hinder their graduation and post-secondary education plans.

Since the plan for mandatory e-learning was announced several issues continue to rise without a clear government response; these include:

         -the mandatory nature of the plan, the timing and the lack of details for parents/guardians,                students and staff;

         -potential risk to students who need individual and in-person time with teachers;

         -the challenges for students who are not accustomed to learning in this environment; and

         -issues of fairness for students who may not have access to high-speed internet service that online learning requires or live in parts of Ontario that don’t have access to reliable internet

Because of these concerns, and the concerns that the TDSB has heard from our school communities through our recent survey, we ask that the Government of Ontario re-consider their plan for mandatory e-learning. The summary of results is available online at www.tdsb.on.ca/thepulse.

2019 - 2020 School Council Learning Opportunities

Learning opportunities have been organized for School Council 101, ByLaws and Effectiveness. Please find below the dates, times, locations and share broadly.

https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Community/How-to-Get-Involved/School-Councils/Workshops

Feb 26 - Woburn CI 6:00 – 9:00 105 School Council Effectiveness

Mar 5 - Central Tech 6:00 – 9:00 102 School Council Effectiveness

And the presentations from PIAC's Ready. Set. Engage. Event from November 16 are now posted online. https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Community/How-to-Get-Involved/PIAC-2019-Event

TDSB has served adults in Toronto for more than 160 years. Today, nearly 30,000 adult learners join 1700 general interest classes to take up a hobby, learn a skill and to meet people in their communities.

Read the programs here.
Information here 
https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Adult-Learners/Learn4Life